Winmau World Masters Round-up | Littler and Humphries breeze to whitewash wins as van Veen and Price complete semi-final lineup

It was a walk in the park for Luke Littler in the quarter-finals of the Winmau World Masters, as he wasted no time in dumping out an average Josh Rock 4-0 in a highly anticipated matchup on the Marshall Arena stage.

Rock has a tendency of flying out of the blocks against the world number one, but that was not to the case in this scenario. It was a stroll in the park for Littler in the first set. Rock’s level nowhere near the standards fans are accustomed to early on, averaging in the low 90’s. After Littler won a third leg on the spin, Rock overcame numerous missed attempts on double 16 to finally get his first leg, but a clinical 121 from Littler saw the world champion move halfway from a first World Masters semi-final.

The stray darts continued to fly in for Rock, who was punished with a 180 from Littler, setting him up on 65 which the 19-year-old takes out in two. He hits five perfect darts before seeing out the set on tops after Rock missed the bull with an unconvincing attempt.

‘The Nuke’ was defeated last year in the quarter-finals to eventual runner-up Jonny Clayton while averaging over 108. It was a lot easier this time around, finishing with a 105 average as Rock came nowhere his usual level. He was not missing at tops as he finished up the match in just over 12 minutes to make it into a first World Masters semi-final in his second appearance.

The reigning champion Luke Humphries continues to show his strong title credentials. His maximum hitting sky-rocketed in a decisive display against Danny Noppert, winning 4-0.

Humphries blew away Noppert in the early stages of the match. He went out in 14 darts to hold before almost repeating the events of yesterday, going six into the perfect leg before plonking a dart in the middle of the treble one bed, ending those fleeting dreams. He saw it out on double 19 to sprint in front. He then punished missed doubles from ‘The freeze’ to break but was broken back instantly by a brilliant 106 outshot. He had a chance to see the set out but a dart at tops was dragged low. No such problem for Humphries who launched his last dart in hand right in the middle of the double 16 bed to sail further out in front.

Noppert went one better into the perfect leg, nailing seven treble 20's before being unable to find the 57 to set him on his way to a first nine darter on the big stage. Despite this flying start, Humphries brutally nabbed the set off him before almost delivering another sucker punch with a 160, narrowly missing tops. He still managed to claim the set thanks to sloppy darts from Noppert on double 18 and nine.

The former UK Open champion was not going to give up without a fight. He halted his doubling woes with a first time effort at tops, but it would prolong in the next two legs. He almost got away with it if not for a clutch effort on double five as Humphries moves closer to another semi-final. He then sealed the win on double six, with revenge against a familiar foe on the cards later today.

Gian van Veen took James Wade’s comments about the young players personally after he put an incredible performance in to fend off a tricky customer 4-2.

Van Veen was the faster out of the blocks. He hit a 180 to leave 44 before clinically taking it out for an 11-darter and more importantly a break. This allowed him to motor away and seal the first set in commanding fashion. Despite this, Wade responded instantly. Some erratic darts at double from the Dutchman allowed Wade to capitalise, before a 110 outshot on tops saw ‘The Machine’ bring proceedings level.

It was an instant reply from van Veen, who in a bit of Déjà vu found an 11-dart break of throw, this time on double 15. It was an almost carbon copy of the first set, again nailing double 16 for a 15-darter to take the third set and the lead. He then went seven into the perfect leg, narrowly missing an eighth treble to get him to a double. He then took out 70 in two, and the quarter-final was again level.

The darts in the match was of the upmost quality. At this point both players were averaging 107. Van Veen kept up this world class darts with a third 11-dart break of throw. For the first time in the match, the set was not sealed two legs with the 2014 champion breaking to force a decider. Despite the Englishman throwing for it, van Veen raced ahead and got it done on tops. After Wade missed two at double 18, ‘The Giant’ got just one dart at tops, which he pinned with perfection to annoy Wade and move him closer to the semi-final. More squandered doubles from Wade allowed the recent World Championship runner-up to finish him off. Humphries is his next task as he looks to continue his imperious form over the former world number one.

Gerwyn Price was not satisfied with his showing in Milton Keynes but was still good enough to take down Chris Dobey 4-2, who would pay dearly for costly double misses.

Price found little joy on his favourite double 20 in the first couple of sets. He missed it which allowed Dobey to hit the target before Price broke straight back to level up. He was now throwing for the set but missed another double at the top of the top. Just before, Dobey had missed the bull for a 132 but pinned double 16 for the first set. The breaks continued throughout the match as Price takes out 72 but a fifth consecutive break from Dobey tied it at 1-1. The Englishman had a dart for the set but once more missed the bull, this time for a 170 checkout. Price finally pinned tops, letting out a huge roar with the match level.

The third set saw the holds dominate. Price would benefit with him throwing first and was forced to see it out after Dobey eventually got over the line on double eight. The Iceman takes out 90 in three darts to take the lead. Dobey had another chance at the 170 but again missed the bull, this time a lot closer. Price was there to capitalise, taking out the first ton+ outshot of the match in the form of a 116 to claim a two-set cushion.

He was looking to see it out with no queries, but Dobey was not going to let him do that. After Dobey missed another key dart at the bull, 73 went for Price who moved within one of the match. However, the 2023 champion was able to claw his way back, finding a composed dart at double 20 to keep his title ambitions afloat. It would be premature as Price won the next two legs to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2021. It was a frustrated Welshman at the end who was not fully satisfied with his showing. He will be wanting to be better when clashing against Littler tonight.