Luke Littler got off to a winning start on his Poland Darts Masters debut, holding off a valiant fightback from Adam Gawlas to advance to the quarter-finals with a 6-4 success in Gliwice on Friday.
Littler, 17, survived a late scare to defeat UK Open semi-finalist Gawlas, who battled back 5-1 to threaten an improbable victory by winning three successive matches.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen continued his winning streak in Poland by setting up a quarter-final clash against Boris Krcmar.
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Littler won the Premier League in his debut campaign after beating world number 1 Luke Humphries 11-7 in the final.
The Dutchman began his title defense with a comprehensive 6-1 win over a below-par Karel Sedlacek, while Krcmar defied five 180s from Nathan Aspinall to advance to the quarter-finals with a huge 6-4 win against the Matchplay world champion.
Peter Wright returned to winning ways in emphatic style, producing a trio of 15 darts in the closing stages to eliminate big stage debutant Jacek Krupka 6-0.
Despite missing 28 darts at doubles, Michael Smith still averaged above 95 to claim a 6-4 victory over local prospect Radek Szaganski.
What’s next on Sky Sports?
Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price are reigning World Cup Darts champions
The Darts World Cup will take place from June 27 to 30, 2024 at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany.
Welshmen Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are the reigning champions and they will be determined to hold off 39 other nations to retain their title.
Luke Humphries and Smith are in contention to represent England, but Littler will not feature as the two highest-ranked England players in the PDC Order of Merit are chosen. “The Nuke” is currently 25th in the Order of Merit.
Fans were also able to stream all the action on NOW TV via their mobile device or tabletop.
Darts World Cup: schedule
Thursday June 27 (6 p.m. BST)
Group Stage – Opening Matches
Friday June 28
Afternoon session (11am BST)
Group stage – Second matches
Evening session (6 p.m. BST)
Group stage – Final matches
Saturday June 29
Afternoon session (12pm BST)
Second round x4
Evening session (6 p.m. BST)
Second round x4
Sunday June 30
Afternoon session (12pm BST)
Quarter-finals
Evening session (6 p.m. BST)
Semi-finals
Final
What is the format?
- Group stage – The best of seven stages
- Second turn – The best of 15 legs
- Quarter-finals – The best of 15 legs
- Semi-finals – The best of 15 legs
- Final – The best of 19 stages
All matches will be played in doubles
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