Luke Littler wanted simply 10 minutes to breeze into the second spherical of the Winmau World Masters on an evening on which Jonny Clayton dazzled, Michael van Gerwen displayed a brand new look and Chris Dobey, Dave Chisnall and Gary Anderson have been crushed.
Reigning PDC world champion Littler dropped only one leg as he swept 2023 WDF world champion Andy Baetens 3-0 to arrange a last-16 conflict with James Wade on Saturday after the latter defeated Mike De Decker 3-2 in a hard-fought opening recreation of the night.
Littler was very good on his doubles at first of his conflict with Baetens, hitting his first 4 makes an attempt earlier than ending with a hit fee of six from 9 on the outer ring.
Nathan Aspinall additionally impressed, pinning six doubles out of eight and an amazing 161 end on the bull whereas sweeping Andrew Gilding 3-0 to safe a showdown with Chisnall’s conqueror Cameron Menzies, who beat his out-of-sorts opponent 3-1.
However the efficiency of the night got here from Clayton, who averaged 112.77 en path to defeating Martin Schindler 3-1 in a high-quality affair, incomes one win for Wales after the nation’s ruby union aspect have been trounced 43-0 by France within the Six Nations.
Clayton impresses as Van Den Bergh beats Anderson
Clayton will tackle Ryan Searle within the subsequent spherical after Heavy Steel noticed off world No 10 Chris Dobey 3-1, breaking Hollywood twice within the fourth set after the primary 9 legs within the match had all gone to the participant throwing first.
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Michael van Gerwen ditched his customary inexperienced shirt for his opening match on the World Masters. (credit score: ITV Sport)
Van Gerwen, in the meantime, recovered from lacking a glut of darts to win the second set in opposition to qualifier Bradley Brooks by taking the subsequent two to triumph 3-1 – whereas sporting a black and gold shirt versus his customary inexperienced.
The Dutchman, crushed by Littler within the World Championship remaining a couple of weeks in the past, wore a different-coloured prime to mark 5 years along with his sponsor.
Van Gerwen will tackle Dimitri Van den Bergh subsequent after the latter rebounded from dropping the primary set to Anderson – during which he bust his rating within the opening leg – to win six legs in a row and prevail 3-1.
Van den Bergh reeled off 4 14-darters on the trot earlier than closing out the match with a 13-darter.
Friday’s World Masters outcomes
- James Wade 3-2 Mike De Decker
- Dave Chisnall 1-3 Cameron Menzies
- Jonny Clayton 3-1 Martin Schindler
- Nathan Aspinall 3-0 Andrew Gilding
- Chris Dobey 1-3 Ryan Searle
- Luke Littler 3-0 Andy Baetens
- Michael van Gerwen 3-1 Bradley Brooks
- Gary Anderson 1-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Saturday’s last-16 fixtures (better of seven units)
Afternoon session (from 12.45pm)
- William O’Connor vs Danny Noppert
- Damon Heta vs Gerwyn Value
- Stephen Bunting vs Peter Wright
- Luke Humphries vs Josh Rock
Night session (from 7pm)
- Luke Littler vs James Wade
- Jonny Clayton vs Ryan Searle
- Michael van Gerwen vs Dimitri Van den Bergh
- Cameron Menzies vs Nathan Aspinall
Watch Premier League Darts 2025 completely stay on Sky Sports activities each Thursday from February 6 to Could 29.
