2019 Dafabet US Darts Masters Day One

World Series of Darts

Jul 04 2019

GARY ANDERSON overcame a stiff test from Elliot Milk as he began his defence of the Dafabet US Darts Masters title.

Las Vegas Qualifiers 2019: The Lowdown

World Series of Darts

Jul 04 2019

We take a closer look at the eight North American players who will star in Las Vegas.

How To Watch: US Masters and North American Championship

World Series of Darts

Jul 04 2019

SEE how to watch the Dafabet US Darts Masters and Dafabet North American Championship.

2019 Las Vegas Draws Made

World Series of Darts

Jul 04 2019

GARY ANDERSON will begin his defence of the Dafabet US Darts Masters title against Elliot Milk on Thursday - draw here.

Top Five Vegas Moments

World Series of Darts

Jul 03 2019

We take a look back at the top five darting moments from Las Vegas over the last 17 years.

2019 Las Vegas Qualifiers Day Two

World Series of Darts

Jul 03 2019

THE final qualifying places in the Dafabet US Darts Masters & North American Championship were confirmed on Wednesday.

World Series Spots For Robb, Heta & Puha

World Series of Darts

Jul 02 2019

BEN ROBB, Damon Heta and Haupai Puha have secured places in August's World Series of Darts events at the DPNZ Qualifiers.

2019 Las Vegas Qualifiers Day One

World Series of Darts

Jul 02 2019

JEFF SMITH & Leonard Gates were the first players to qualify for the Dafabet US Darts Masters & North American Championship.

Las Vegas Prepares For World Series Return

World Series of Darts

Jul 01 2019

THE PDC's 2019 World Series of Darts begins this week in Las Vegas - full details here.

Record Entries For Las Vegas Qualifiers

World Series of Darts

Jun 28 2019

THERE will be a record entry of over 190 players for the 2019 US Darts Masters and North American Championship Qualifiers.

Melbourne Darts Masters
August 10-12, Hisense Arena, Melbourne, Australia
CLICK HERE TO BUY MELBOURNE DARTS MASTERS TICKETS

Live on Fox Sports in Australia, worldwide through the PDC's series of international broadcast partners and for PDCTV-HD Rest of the World Subsribers.
UK TV coverage via ITV4 will be delayed to 7pm BST on each night.

Draw Bracket
(1) Michael van Gerwen v Raymond Smith
Simon Whitlock v Corey Cadby
(4) Peter Wright v Mike Bonser
Raymond van Barneveld v Raymond O'Donnell
(2) Rob Cross v Haupai Puha
Michael Smith v Tim Pusey
(3) Gary Anderson v James Bailey
Kyle Anderson v Damon Heta

Competing Players
PDC Representatives: Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright, Rob Cross, Gary Anderson, Simon Whitlock, Kyle Anderson, Michael Smith, Raymond van Barneveld
Oceanic Representatives: Corey Cadby, Tim Pusey, Raymond Smith, Haupai Puha, Damon Heta, Mike Bonser, Ray O'Donnell, James Bailey

Hisense Arena, Melbourne
Friday August 10 (7pm)
First Round x8

Raymond van Barneveld 6-4 Ray O’Donnell
Michael Smith 6-2 Tim Pusey
Rob Cross 6-2 Haupai Puha
Gary Anderson 6-2 James Bailey
Peter Wright 6-0 Mike Bonser
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Raymond Smith
Simon Whitlock 6-4 Corey Cadby
Damon Heta 6-5 Kyle Anderson
Best of 11 legs

Saturday August 11 (7pm)
Quarter-Finals

Rob Cross 9-10 Michael Smith 
Peter Wright 10-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Gary Anderson 10-7 Damon Heta
Michael van Gerwen 10-8 Simon Whitlock
Best of 19 legs

Sunday August 12 (7pm)
Semi-Finals

Michael Smith 11-5 Gary Anderson
Michael van Gerwen 7-11 Peter Wright

Final
Michael Smith 8-11 Peter Wright
All best of 21

CLICK HERE TO BUY MELBOURNE DARTS MASTERS TICKETS

PETER WRIGHT claimed a second World Series of Darts title after beating Michael Smith 11-8 in the final of the Melbourne Darts Masters at the Hisense Arena.

Wright became the fifth winner from five World Series events in 2018 and secured his second title on the PDC’s world tour after victory in the German Darts Masters in 2017.

The Scot, who was beaten in the final by Phil Taylor in Melbourne a year earlier, first defeated Michael van Gerwen in the last four before going on to claim victory over Shanghai Darts Masters Champion Smith in a hard fought final.

The decider began with the pair trading holds of throw, with neither player able to make too much of a mark when their opponent threw first.

A 120 checkout to level in the sixth leg from Smith with Wright sat on tops to break, was the highlight of the opening exchanges.

The 2017 UK Open Champion squandered three darts at a double in the eighth leg to break the throw and take a 5-3 lead, allowing Smith to step in and level once more.

The holds of throw continued until late in the contest when in the 14th leg with Smith waiting on 60, Wright took out 130 on double five to break and lead 8-6.

Smith came straight back at Wright though, hitting a 180 before pinning tops to break straight back.

The crucial moment in the match came in leg 16 when another magical finish from Wright, this time a 131, broke the throw and handed control of the contest to the Scot.

The 48-year-old eventually sealed an 11-8 win and spoke of his delight to be back on the winners podium.

“It wasn’t the best final ever in terms of averages and scores but it was a battle and I’m so happy to prove winning on the World Series in Germany last year wasn’t a fluke,” said Wright after the final.

“I lost a bit of my confidence over the last few months and felt like I was getting smashed up by a lot of players and was really struggling with my game.

“Winning here feels great, I got to the final last year but couldn’t beat Phil so to go one better this year is a sign that I can start to turn things around,” concluded the Premier League ace.

It was Smith’s second final on the World Series in 2018 but unlike in Shanghai the former World Youth Champion was unable to claim the title with a final victory.

“Fair play to Peter he deserved that tonight, It was a tough match and he got the job done,” said Smith.

“It’s another final for me though and more proof that I’m getting to where I want to be, things are starting to improve and I’m happy.”

The pair of Smith and Wright faced daunting challenges in their respective semi-finals with match-ups against Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen.

Like in the semi-final of the 2018 Premier League, Smith got one over on his mentor and friend Anderson, running out an 11-5 winner.

The 27-year-old averaged 100 and hit eight maximums on his way to victory in a match he controlled throughout.

Peter Wrght’s passage to the final was a sealed with a 11-7 win over world number one Michael van Gerwen.

The Scot punished Van Gerwen for missing 14 darts at doubles and averaged 103.47 as he secured his place in the decider.

The final saw ‘Snakebite’ average 97, two points less than his opponent but the statistic that mattered read 11-8 in Wright’s favour as he claimed the title in Melbourne.

The World Series of Darts continues in Brisbane on August 17-19 as the final of three events Down Under takes place.