Luke Littler nukes Van den Bergh and will face Luke Humphries in the semi-finals of the 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have become the first two names into the hat for the semi-finals at the 2024 New Zealand Darts Masters in Hamilton.

With Luke Littler immediately breaking the Dimitri van den Bergh throw in the opening leg, an early warning shot was sent to the Belgian. After Van den Bergh missed a dart at double 19 to break straight back, Littler punished to move two clear, before the UK Open champion finally got himself onto the board in leg 3.

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With the pair continuing to exchange holds of throw in the next few legs, Littler consistently kept his nose just in front. Van den Bergh had definitely upped his game however, with his average up around the 110 mark despite trailing 4-3. After some scrappy finishing from Littler in leg 8 however, Van den Bergh pounced to level things up at four apiece. As 'The Nuke' fired in some brutal power scoring in the next leg, the Englishman earned himself the first shot at double and pinned double 10 to move one away from the win. Holding the throw comfortably, Littler sealed the 6-4 win with a 97 checkout to move into the semi-finals.

In a battle of England's World Cup of Darts winning pair, Michael Smith threatened to start in style with a 170 checkout. After narrowly missing the bull however, Luke Humphries pinned double 8 to hold throw. Smith again missed a dart at the bullseye in leg 2 and again, Humphries punished on double 8. It was then the world champion's turn to miss darts at double in leg 3 and Smith took his chance to get himself on the board.

After a trading of breaks of throw, Smith held firm in leg 6 to get back on level terms at 3-3. 'BullyBoy' failed to take his chance in leg 7 however, missing the chance to move ahead. Although he was playing the better darts and had forged himself chances to win every single leg, Smith's inconsistency on the outer ring was keeping Humphries in the tie. In leg 9 though, Humphries had his first taste of comfort and moved to within one of the semi-finals and a few moment later, 'Cool Hand' secured the win with a 76 finish.