US ace Leonard Gates caused a stir at the US Darts Masters with a memorable win over Fallon Sherrock as the PDC World Series of Darts event kicked off in style at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden
Last update: 04/06/22 1:44 p.m.
Fallon Sherrock suffered a loss to Leonard Gates at the US Darts Masters on Friday
Fallon Sherrock suffered an early exit from US ace Leonard Gates at the US Darts Masters as the PDC World Series of Darts event got underway in New York on Friday.
Gates won until Saturday’s finals after coming back from one set to lead 4-1 against Sherrock, who fought back in the sixth set but couldn’t stop the American from wrapping up the win with finishes of 70 and 82.
“The energy was something I had never felt here in North America before – it was awesome!” Admitted Gates.
“It wasn’t her A match, but she did a lot of great things for darts and women’s darts, and I applaud her. She’s definitely the crowd favorite, but I had to play my game.”
Gates will next face Peter Wright (photo courtesy of Ed Mulholland/PDC)
Gates now plays world champion and world number one Peter Wright, who withstood a stern challenge from top-ranked American Danny Baggish before claiming a 6-4 victory.
“The crowd tonight was behind USA and darts are the winners tonight – we’re lucky to be playing here in New York,” said Wright, who wore a specially designed taxi-themed shirt. New Yorker.
“I missed a few doubles here and there, but I don’t think I had the right goggles and will have to try my normals tomorrow.
“I was a little rusty but I’ll freshen it up. I want to be the first to win this tournament but there’s still a long way to go.”
Former US Darts Masters champion Gary Anderson began his bid for a second title in the event with a 6-3 victory over Matt Campbell – although the Scotsman had to play with borrowed darts.
Anderson now meets Michael Smith in the quarter-finals on Saturday’s final day of action, after the former Shanghai Darts Masters winner defeated debutant Doug Boehm 6-3.
Former winner Michael van Gerwen now plays James Wade in the last eight
2017 winner Michael van Gerwen won 6-4 over Dutch-born American Jules van Dongen in an entertaining contest.
“I’m happy to win,” said Van Gerwen. “I let him into the game but it’s the game of his life – his first time in front of his home crowd but I did the right thing in the end.”
Van Gerwen now faces James Wade in the last eight, with the left-hander picking up a 6-2 win over Canadian No. 1 Jeff Smith.
Gerwyn Price overcame a scare against Canadian David Cameron before advancing to the last eight with a 6-4 success.
Price now faces an all-Welsh quarter-final with World Cup teammate Jonny Clayton, who comfortably won 6-2 against emerging American Danny Lauby.
The World Series of Darts event concludes Saturday night with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final at the Hulu Theater.
American Dart Masters 2022
Friday, June 3
evening session
First round
Michael Smith 6-3 Doug Boehm
James Wade 6-2 Jeff Smith
Gary Anderson 6-3 Matt Campbell
Leonard Gates 6-2 Fallon Sherrock
Peter Wright 6-4 Danny Baggish
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Jules van Dongen
Gerwyn Price 6-4 David Cameron
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Danny Lauby
Saturday June 4
Afternoon session (1300 EST)
North American Championship
Quarter-finals
Jeff Smith vs. David Cameron
Jules van Dongen versus Leonardo Gates
Matt Campbell vs. Danny Lauby
Danny Baggish vs. Doug Boehm
Semi-finals
Smith/Cameron vs. Van Dongen/Gates
Campbell/Lauby vs. Baggish/Boehm
Final
versus
The best of 11 legs
Evening Session (1900 EST)
American Darts Masters
Quarter-finals
Michael Smith vs. Gary Anderson
Peter Wright vs. Leonard Gates
Gerwyn Price vs. Jonny Clayton
Michael van Gerwen vs. James Wade
Semi-finals
Wright/Gates vs. Smith/Anderson
Price/Clayton vs. Van Gerwen/Wade
Final
versus
The best of 15 legs
Check out daily darts news at skysports.com/dartsour app for mobile devices and our Twitter account @skysportsdarts. We’re back for the Premier League Play-Offs in Berlin on Monday June 13 – live on Sky Sports Action & Main Event from 7pm.