Luke Littler survived an early scare to beat David Cameron 6‑4, overturning a 4‑3 deficit with five maximums and securing his quarter‑final spot at the US Darts Masters in New York. Fellow Englishman Luke Humphries dispatched former North American champion Leonard Gates 6‑1, positioning himself for a chance at back‑to‑back titles.

Canadian veteran Jim Long produced the tournament’s biggest shock, edging Irishman Josh Rock 6‑4 after a sluggish start and a three‑leg swing. Long, who knocked out Michael Smith in 2023, now meets Littler in the quarters. Dutch No 1 Gian van Veen, Jonny Clayton, Gerwyn Price and James Wade also advanced, setting up four high‑stakes match‑ups.

The quarter‑final line‑up features Littler v Long, Humphries v Stephen Bunting, van Veen v Jonny Clayton and the Price‑Wade clash, all played before a sell‑out 5,000‑strong crowd – a US darts attendance record. Winners will vie for the title on Friday, with the event cementing New York’s status as a premier World Series venue.

Humphries’ dominant start and Price’s steady comeback reinforce their positions near the top of the World Series leaderboard, while Littler’s resilience keeps his title defence alive. A strong showing in New York could boost their seeding for upcoming events, including the 2026 World Matchplay.