“Amazing feeling to win on this stage” - Jim Long “over the moon” after Josh Rock upset earns Luke Littler showdown at US Darts Masters

Jim Long produced another US Darts Masters upset in New York, stunning Josh Rock 6-4 on opening night to earn a quarter-final showdown with Luke Littler at Madison Square Garden.

The Canadian veteran and current PDC Tour Card holder memorably beat Michael Smith at the same event in 2023, and he added another major scalp at the Infosys Theater as Rock paid for missed doubles and a sluggish start.

Long was making his fourth appearance at the tournament as the World Series of Darts returned to New York, where the eight PDC representatives faced their North American counterparts. Luke Littler and Luke Humphries both made it safely through, but Rock became the headline casualty of the first round.

The Northern Irishman recovered from a slow opening to level at 3-3, only for Long to win three of the next four legs and complete one of the standout results of the night. “It’s an amazing feeling to win on this stage. I’m over the moon,” Long reflected afterwards.

Long’s win carried more weight because of his own history in the event. His 2023 victory over Smith remains one of the most notable North American results since the US Darts Masters moved to New York, and Thursday night gave him another major Madison Square Garden moment.

Rock recovered from 3-1 down to level at 3-3, but late misses on the outer ring left Long with the openings he needed to take three of the final four legs. “I’ve played Josh three times on the tour so we’re familiar with each other,” said Long. “And I was fortunate he missed a couple of doubles at the end there.”

Those misses proved decisive. Rock’s defeat ended his New York campaign before the quarter-finals, while Long’s reward is a meeting with Littler, who survived his own test against David Cameron.

Littler came through 6-4 to keep alive his bid for a first US Darts Masters title, but he was made to work before booking his place in the last eight. Long now gets the chance to follow one upset with an even bigger one against the world number one.

For Long, the next match is exactly the kind of opportunity he wants at this stage of his career. The Canadian has main-tour experience, a PDC Tour Card and a growing US Darts Masters record, but chances to face the sport’s biggest name at Madison Square Garden are still rare enough to matter.

“I just want to play every game I can play and perform at my best with every chance I get,” he said.

That next chance now comes against Littler on Friday night, with Long standing between the world number one and a place in the US Darts Masters semi-finals.