Nathan Aspinall secured one of his career best triumphs previously at the US Darts Masters when held in Las Vegas, but could add it again in New York.
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This after a superb opening win for 'The Asp' against Matt Campbell in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Aspinall produced a stellar 105.81 average and 100% on the doubles in a flawless display seeing off his fellow Tour Card holder 6-4 in the end who was seen pre-tournament as the main qualifier hope.
Humphries who is making his US Darts Masters debut as a fixture of this year's World Series saw off CDC Continental Cup winner, Alex Spellman.
Spellman showed glimmers at Q-School as well as being a regular on the MODUS Super Series so could've been a banana skin for 'Cool Hand Luke' but in the end, it was a 6-2 win with checkouts of 115 and 100 en route.
Van den Bergh safely navigated past qualifier JT Davis prior to that 6-2 with a 95.2 average and two ton plus checkouts. While for Cross, it was a lot harder.
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He saw off Jason Brandon also 6-2 but both struggled as Cross averaged only 82.5 in victory with no 180's between the pair to open the tournament. Things could only get better from there.
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INCREDIBLE FROM THE ASP!
A 105.81 average and 100% on the doubles as he sees off a very good display from Matt Campbell to reach the Quarter-Finals!
He's hungry for a second US Darts Masters title, and will take some stopping!
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