Viktor Tingstrom (Photo PDC)
Viktor Tingstrom stunned reigning champion Stephen Bunting on the opening night of the Mr Vegas Nordic Darts Masters, as Luke Humphries delivered a darting masterclass in Denmark.
Day One of the year’s third World Series of Darts event saw the eight PDC superstars go head-to-head against their Nordic and Baltic counterparts at the Forum Copenhagen, as Tingstrom stole the headlines.
The Swedish star survived seven match darts in accounting for Bunting, becoming only the third Nordic and Baltic representative to triumph in this event since its inception in 2021.
“I’ve had some good memories in darts, but I don’t think anything can beat this at the moment,” revealed the 25-year-old.
“To be the third Nordic & Baltic player ever through in this tournament, happy days.
“I just came here trying to enjoy it. I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I don’t have any pressure on me.”
Tingstrom’s reward is a showdown against 2021 champion Michael van Gerwen, who ran out a resounding 6-2 winner against two-time World Cup quarter-finalist Oskar Lukasiak in his last 16 clash.
Humphries was Friday’s outstanding performer, however, averaging 109.92 and converting six of his nine attempts at double to win through a high-quality affair against an in-form Jeffrey de Graaf.
“I felt good there. The last four to five weeks I’ve felt a lot more comfortable in my throw and I feel like I can play this level a lot more often,” insisted the world number two.
“It just gives you confidence. I’ve had so many 100+ averages, so many good performances, and my doubles have been better.
“One thing that I’m probably guilty of is not winning many World Series events in my career. I’ve played in about 20 or 30 and won two.
“You know that you normally have to beat three, really, really tough players to go on and win the title, but if I keep playing like that, then I’m going to stand a good chance.”
Humphries’ next assignment will pit him against European Champion Gian van Veen, who conjured up a majestic 167 outshot to wrap up a 6-3 win against four-time World Championship qualifier Daniel Larsson.
Welsh duo Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price will also go head-to-head on Finals Day, following contrasting victories against Andreas Harrysson and Darius Labanauskas respectively.
Clayton opened his title bid with a six-leg demolition of the enigmatic Harrysson, averaging 104.86 and pinning 75% of his attempts at double during an all-action display.
Price also averaged north of 104 in a 6-5 win over Labanauskas, in a contest featuring a staggering six ton-plus checkouts.
Yet, despite converting 120, 128 and 156 checkouts, Price was forced to survive a match dart at double 16 in the decider, with Labanauskas also landing a hat-trick of ton-plus finishes in defeat.
Elsewhere, James Wade marked his first World Series of Darts appearance since 2022 with a comprehensive victory at the expense of Madars Razma.
The ten-time TV title winner delivered a typically clinical display to dispatch the Latvian 6-1, which sets up an enticing clash against World Champion Luke Littler on Saturday evening.
Littler – eyeing a maiden Nordic Darts Masters crown in the Danish capital – accounted for Norway’s number one Cor Dekker by the same scoreline, producing a stylish 129 checkout along the way.
RESULTS
Round One
Jonny Clayton 6-0 Andreas Harrysson
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Darius Labanauskas
Viktor Tingstrom 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Oskar Lukasiak
James Wade 6-1 Madars Razma
Luke Littler 6-1 Cor Dekker
Luke Humphries 6-3 Jeffrey de Graaf
Gian van Veen 6-3 Daniel Larsson
