Jim Long (Photo PDC)
Jim Long claimed another big stage scalp to stun Josh Rock on the opening night of the US Darts Masters, as Luke Humphries kicked off his title defence in style in New York.
Long memorably defeated Michael Smith at the US Darts Masters back in 2023, and the Canadian veteran produced another big upset in the Big Apple, running out a 6-4 winner against a profligate Rock.
The Northern Irishman recovered from a sluggish start to restore parity at three apiece, only for Long to win three of the next four legs and complete the upset.
“It’s an amazing feeling to win on this stage. I’m over the moon,” reflected Long – making his fourth US Darts Masters appearance.
“I’ve played Josh three times on the tour so we’re familiar with each other, and I was fortunate he missed a couple of doubles at the end there.
“I just want to play every game I can play and perform at my best with every chance I get.”
Long’s reward will be a showdown against Luke Littler, after the world number one survived an early scare to defeat a tenacious David Cameron.
Littler was nowhere near his blistering best in the early exchanges, although he duly found his range to avoid the upset, overturning a 4-3 deficit with the aid of five maximums.
Reigning champion Humphries also took centre stage on Day One, dispatching former North American champion Leonard Gates 6-1 to begin his bid for back-to-back titles in New York.
“This is a really prestigious event and one of the best venues in the world,” declared the world number two.
“My brother told me in the last eight events I’ve played in – including the Premier League – I’ve made eight finals on the trot, so that’s given me a lot of confidence.
“I’ve been a really tough player to beat in the last few weeks, and it’s nice to have that winning feeling back.”
Humphries’ next assignment will be a tie against Stephen Bunting, who swept aside a struggling Alex Spellman 6-2 to register his first victory on the iconic Madison Square Garden stage.
Dutch number one Gian van Veen was another comfortable winner on Thursday night, marking his US Darts Masters debut with a crushing 6-1 victory against big stage newcomer Fred Krueger.
Jonny Clayton now awaits the European Champion in a blockbuster quarter-final tussle, after the Welsh number one delivered a perfect doubling display in his 6-2 thumping of Gary Mawson, averaging almost 99 in the process.
Gerwyn Price and James Wade will also lock horns in the quarter-finals, following hard-fought wins over Brayden Hall and Adam Sevada respectively.
2024 runner-up Price overcome Canadian prospect Hall 6-4 in his opener, while Wade enjoyed a winning return to World Series action, following a 6-3 success against American number one Sevada.
RESULTS
Round One
Gian van Veen 6-1 Fred Krueger
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Brayden Hall
James Wade 6-3 Adam Sevada
Jim Long 6-4 Josh Rock
Luke Littler 6-4 David Cameron
Luke Humphries 6-1 Leonard Gates
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Gary Mawson
Stephen Bunting 6-2 Alex Spellman
SCHEDULE
Quarter-Finals
Jim Long v Brayden Hall
Leonard Gates v Fred Krueger
Adam Sevada v Alex Spellman
David Cameron v Gary Mawson
