Sensational Smash: Martin Lukeman storms into Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals with Rob Cross win as dream debut continues
PDC
Martin Lukeman has previously reached multiple Quarter-Finals in majors but has broken new ground this week in Wolverhampton with a run to the semi-finals on debut. He routed last year's finalist Rob Cross 16-11 on Friday evening.
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Lukeman now faces Mickey Mansell in another twist in the most unpredictable year of darts in many a year. With Ritchie Edhouse and Mike de Decker lighting the blue touch paper, Lukeman or Mansell could yet add some more fuel onto that fire.
He was too good for Cross during his win smashing in a 98.5 average for good measure as he lived up to the occasion and now has at least £50,000 to show for it and will be favourite to reach Sunday's showpiece final.
But Lukeman was all at sea early on as Cross took control with a 4-1 lead. His doubling in particular was heroic as he hit 4/6 including an 86 finish for 4-1.
But Lukeman clawed his way back from 5-1 down. He reeled off four legs on the spin to draw level. He took out 121 on the bull in the process to do so at 5-5.
He continued that streak. He reeled off eight out of the previous nine legs in a procession to lead 9-6 and extended his advantage towards the finishing line of 16 with an exquisite 144 checkout. Sending Cross off at the break in order to have to mount a comeback or he'd be heading home.
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But Cross desperately cut the gap. He hit a 104 checkout to reduce the arrears down to 9-7 and his finishing returning brought in a 113 checkout to make it 9-8. It was his turn to win a barrage of legs as he made it 10-10.
Lukeman though wasn't about to let his golden opportunity to reach a maiden major semi-final slip as he hit a sumptuous 10-darter to make it 12-10 and head into a two-leg lead again. From the sumptuous to the utter sublime as he pinned 89 on the bull for 14-11.
He was one away and Lukeman left 114 with Cross hitting 27 with no pressure forthcoming and he set it up sealing the win with no nerves in sight.
LUKEMAN KO's CROSS! 👏
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 15, 2024
What a story!
Martin Lukeman produces one of the best displays of his career to defeat last year's runner-up Rob Cross and move through to his first televised semi-final!
📺 https://t.co/lkfAqflnXa #GSOD | QFs pic.twitter.com/bAKxt9ceoY
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Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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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
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- 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