The semi-final lineup at the 2024
Poland Darts Masters is complete
Luke Littler will face
Michael Smith and
Rob Cross will take on
Michael van Gerwen later tonight on the
World Series of Darts.
In the first quarterfinal of the night, Littler was up against two time world champion Peter Wright. After Snakebite averaged just over 80 in his opening round win on Friday night, the Scotsman knew he needed to improve if he was to keeps his hopes alive in Poland. In fairness, to Wright he was much, much better, averaging 109.73 and hitting three 180s. Sadly for Wright however, it still wasn't enough.
The duo traded legs in the opening four legs. With the score two apiece however, Littler held started to spurt into life, with back to back legs of 12 and 15 darts, giving himself some daylight in the contest. Although Wright got back to 4-3, Littler accelerated towards the finish line by winning the next two legs and
booking his spot in the semi-finals with a 6-3 victory.
Next up, the England team for the 2024 World Cup of Darts went head to head as Michael Smith battled Luke Humphries. In a thrilling match, the drama went right to the final darts as the momentum swung this way and that. In the end it went all the way to an 11th and deciding leg. Smith was the first man to get a shot for the match but a chance came and went at tops. Then, with 100 required the world champion went single 20, double top, but missed his match dart at the same target allowing Smith to return and
seal the thrilling win.
The third quarter final was also an all English contest as the in form Rob Cross did battle with Stephen Bunting. After reaching the final of each of the last two World Series of Darts tournaments, Cross was in the mood once again in this one. After a tight opening, the scores were level at 2-2 when Cross grasped control of the tie with a three leg spurt to move within just one leg of the semi-finals. Bunting wasn't done just yet however, and with legs of 15 and 16 darts The Bullet got back to 5-4. After the recent Masters champion missed a dart at double to force a decider however, Cross
pounced to seal a 6-4 victory.
Completing the semifinal lineup, Michael van Gerwen comfortably dispatched Nathan Aspinall's conqueror, Boris Krcmar. The big Croatian didn't come close to the kind of performance he produced on Friday night but in fairness, van Gerwen gave him nothing to work with. The Dutchman was close to his ruthless best as he romped to a 6-0 win averaging 109.98 in the process.