Gerwyn Value will start his defence of the KenoGO Australian Darts Masters in opposition to Joe Comito on Friday, with the draw and schedule of play confirmed for the World Collection of Darts occasion.
The opening leg of the PDC’s World Collection of Darts Oceanic double-header will happen on August 8-9, as a 16-player area compete for silverware in Wollongong.
Friday’s first spherical will see the eight PDC stars tackle eight Oceanic representatives, with reigning champion Value pitted in opposition to Australian qualifier Comito, who made his World Darts Championship debut final 12 months.
World Champion Luke Littler – runner-up to Value on debut final 12 months – will face New Zealand’s premier participant Haupai Puha, whereas world No 1 Luke Humphries performs Puha’s fellow countryman Jonny Tata for a spot within the quarter-finals.
Littler, who can also be the reigning World Collection of Darts Finals champion and was a 2024 winner in Bahrain and Poland throughout his unbelievable first 12 months on the PDC circuit, stated: “I have been right here just a few days now, so I’ve settled in however as soon as Friday night time comes, we’re within the venue and the group are pumping, it is going to undoubtedly get me up for it.
“As soon as you’re runner-up you wish to come again the subsequent 12 months and win it. It is a very long time however now we’re right here and coming off the again of the Matchplay win, I’m feeling very assured and up for the duty.
“I got tested in Blackpool and I definitely made a good 10 days of it. Happy to come out with the win and claim the Triple Crown but now we’re Down Under, it’s a different competition and a different mindset.”
Northern Eire’s World Cup winner Josh Rock will make his World Collection bow in opposition to Australian icon Simon Whitlock in one in every of Friday’s stand-out ties, as World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker marks his debut down underneath with a conflict in opposition to newcomer Brandon Weening.
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Highlights of Luke Littler in opposition to Josh Rock within the semi-final of the World Matchplay
Rock has taken his sport to new ranges this 12 months, together with a World Cup win for Northern Eire alongside Daryl Gurney in June, however he says he doesn’t but class himself as one of many sport’s elite gamers.
“Not just yet,” he stated. “The Premier League is the aim for next year if not then the year after, then I’ll class myself as an elite player.
“My sport has been in an excellent place all 12 months, if I hold taking part in properly I can see myself going up increased within the rankings.
“It will obviously be fantastic to win, if you’re going to put your name on the World Series why not do it at the first try?”
Australian No 1 Damon Heta makes his return to house soil in opposition to two-time World Championship qualifier James Bailey, with prime seed Stephen Bunting drawn in opposition to rising star Brody Klinge.
World No 7 Chris Dobey will get his marketing campaign underneath approach in opposition to Australia’s Tim Pusey, who makes his return to World Collection motion following a six-year hiatus.
Friday’s first spherical begins at 7pm native time (10am UK and Eire time) earlier than the quarter-finals, semi-finals and closing happen on a bumper Finals Day on Saturday.
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A comparability between Littler’s excellent leg and the classic nine-darter made my Michael Smith within the 2023 World Darts Championship
Australian Darts Masters
Schedule of Play
Friday August 8
Spherical One
Mike De Decker vs Brandon Weening
Gerwyn Value vs Joe Comito
Stephen Bunting vs Brody Klinge
Luke Humphries vs Jonny Tata
Damon Heta vs James Bailey
Luke Littler vs Haupai Puha
Josh Rock vs Simon Whitlock
Chris Dobey vs Tim Pusey
Better of 11 legs
Saturday August 9
Quarter-Finals
Better of 11 legs
Semi-Finals
Better of 13 legs
Ultimate
Better of 15 legs
Format
First Spherical – Better of 11 legs
Quarter-Finals – Better of 11 legs
Semi-Finals – Better of 13 legs
Ultimate – Better of 15 legs
Which occasion is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?
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Highlights of the World Grand Prix 2024 between Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker
The 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix will happen on the Mattioli Enviornment, Leicester from October 6-12, as 32 of the world’s prime stars compete in one of many sport’s most prestigious tournaments.
Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries are set to be joined by world champion Luke Littler in headlining this 12 months’s area.
Mike De Decker sensationally stormed to his first Premier Occasion title ultimately 12 months’s occasion.
Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the World Cup of Darts, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and extra prime sport with NOW
