Luke Littler wins dramatic decider with Ross Smith as Michael van Gerwen survives Clayton test in Amsterdam at World Series Finals

Michael van Gerwen and Luke Littler are through to the second the round at the 2024 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Neither had it all their own way though.

Luke Littler won 6-5 over his compatriot Ross Smith on his debut at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. In the early stages of the match, both Littler and Smith held their own legs, but in the third leg, "Smudger" broke to take a 2-1 lead. Smith then also managed to keep his own leg and ran out to 3-1.

From the fourth leg, however, "The Nuke" began to get into his rhythm better and increased the pace. With four 180s in three legs and via two 11-darters and a 13-darter, he turned the match around and took a 4-3 lead. Although Smith seemed ready for the slaughter, he fought back impressively and evened the score at 5-5, after Littler missed a matchdart on the bullseye. In the decisive last leg, Smith in turn missed two matchdarts, after which the 17-year-old still secured victory via double 10. A meeting with Raymond van Barneveld awaits him in the next round.

Michael van Gerwen defeated Jonny Clayton 6-4 in the first round of the World Series of Darts Finals. Although the Dutchman was not at his best, he faced little resistance from "The Ferret. Van Gerwen immediately set the tone by posting a break in the first leg to take a 1-0 lead. In the second leg, he again faced little opposition and extended his lead to 2-0 with a 17-darter.

Clayton was then fortunate that Van Gerwen slowed down in the third leg, allowing the Welshman to keep his own leg after 19 arrows to make it 2-1. After that, 'MvG' seemed to fall silent for a while, which gave Clayton the opportunity to take both leg 4 and 5 to take the lead for the first time in the match.

Van Gerwen quickly recovered, however, and won the next three legs in a row. With finishes on tops, a 76-checkout and double 6, he turned the match around to take a 5-3 lead, just one leg away from victory. Clayton managed to take one more leg back, but Van Gerwen finished it off with a 16-darter on double 10, securing a spot in the next round.