Dream debut continues for Martin Lukeman, eases past Ross Smith into Grand Slam of Darts Quarter-Finals
PDCMartin Lukeman has reached multiple Quarter-Finals in major tournaments mostly during his breakout 2022. But he has revived his form at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts seeing off Ross Smith in Wolverhampton 10-5.
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Lukeman has been one of the best players in Wolverhampton thus far having breezed through his group and now has a big opportunity awaiting him. Ritchie Edhouse or Rob Cross await in the Quarter-Finals with a potential semi-final against either Mickey Mansell or Cameron Menzies for the winner. After having to defend a huge chunk of ranking money, it could be 'Smash's time to shine.
It was a 95 average, six 180's and 40% on the doubles with Smith's poor 23% on the outer ring being his achilles heel despite finding his scoring boots at times.
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It was scrappy early on between the pair with Lukeman leading 3-2. He missed 106 on double 18 but he returned with Smith unable to pin the tricky double 19. Lukeman himself missed double nine but again came back.
Smith continued to struggle hitting doubles and Lukeman hit double five last dart in hand for 5-3 and a break. It was very much when he got the throw he was making all use. He hit double 16 for 6-3 for an 11-darter.
Smith reduced arrears but it was the same story as Lukeman hit a 12-darter on double two for a 7-4 lead. A 121 sent him towards the brink at 8-5 and a break was the final nail in the coffin after Smith missed chances to hold.
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Lukeman couldn't pin the 144 for the win straight away. But he set up double eight which he pinned first time for a spot in the last eight. Sweeping everyone aside thus far, he is the surprise package to be feared.
LUKEMAN INTO THE QUARTERS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 13, 2024
Martin Lukeman continues his dream debut with victory over Ross Smith!
📺 https://t.co/lkfAqflVMI #GSOD | L16 pic.twitter.com/X3OJBBb7TY

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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
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- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026
- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
- She is a professional. If darts is her income, she is a professional. Same as Adrian Lewis, Martin Adams. A tour card just means someone can play on the PDC tour. You could even make a case that Clayton wasn't a professional (until recently I believe) because he had employment elsewhere.BandB04-11-2026
- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
- Such a shame that lakeside has been reduced to this. Fantastic venue,and previously a great tournament. Not any morerick6703-11-2026





