'If I replicate that, everyone is stuffed!' - Wade makes dream start in Aus

Australian Darts Masters: James Wade dominates tournament opener as Ross Smith stunned by Brody Klinge in Wollongong James Wade thrashed Tim Pusey 6-0 in the opening round of the Australian Darts Masters; Gian van Veen, Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price all made winning starts as Ross Smith made a shock early exit Friday 21 August 2026 15:48, UK Brody Klinge set up a quarter-final showdown against Gian van Veen at the KenoGo Australian Darts Masters after a shock victory over Ross Smith in Wollongong. Klinge was the solitary Oceanic representative to triumph on a terrific opening day at the WIN Entertainment Centre, registering an 11-dart break to sink Ross Smith in a deciding-leg epic. Smith crashed in eight maximums during a captivating affair, although he was punished for squandering two match darts in the decider, as Klinge celebrated the biggest victory of his career. - Australian Darts Masters: Latest schedule - Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results 📅 - Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app 📱 - Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW 📺 "I'm over the moon with that," said Klinge, who averaged 96 to Smith's 102.88. "That was the adrenaline rush of my life. I felt a lot more comfortable playing this time around and it showed in my performance I think. "Ross was throwing everything at me. I was lucky he missed at the end there, but I took my chance. I'm on a free rein now. I'm just going to do my best and keep going. There's no pressure on me." Klinge's reward is a tussle against Van Veen on Finals Day, after the world No 2 conjured up a spectacular 161 checkout to wrap up a clinical 6-3 success against Raymond Smith. However, the performance of the night was produced by James Wade, who averaged 112.73 - the second-highest recorded in a World Series of Darts event in Australia - during a six-leg demolition of Tim Pusey. "That felt amazing. Everything just fell into my hands there," admitted Wade, who closed out victory with a 164 finish and will play Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals. "I think I'm guilty of sometimes forgetting how lucky I am to do what I do, but I'm just happy to be here and I'm playing alright. If I replicate that level tomorrow everyone is stuffed, but tomorrow is a different day!" 2024 champion Gerwyn Price will face Josh Rock in a fascinating last-eight showdown on Saturday, having reeled off four consecutive legs - including back-to-back 124 and 108 checkouts - in a 6-2 victory over Simon Whitlock. Rock also won four straight legs to seal a 6-3 success against Adam Leek, while Jonny Clayton will go head-to-head with Australian No 1 Damon Heta after opening his bid for back-to-back World Series titles with a hard-fought 6-3 victory against Ben Robb. Heta averaged 102.39 in his 6-2 thumping of fellow countryman Joe Comito, while the other tie saw Stephen Bunting fight back from trailing 3-0 to beat Mal Cuming 6-3. The 2026 Australian Darts Masters will reach its climax with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final during a blockbuster evening session at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday. KenoGO Australian Darts Masters: Latest schedule, results Friday's results First round (best of 11 legs) Brody Klinge 6-5 Ross Smith Stephen Bunting 6-3 Mal Cuming Josh Rock 6-3 Adam Leek James Wade 6-0 Tim Pusey Gian van Veen 6-3 Raymond Smith Jonny Clayton 6-3 Ben Robb Gerwyn Price 6-2 Simon Whitlock Damon Heta 6-2 Joe Comito Saturday's schedule Quarter-Finals - from 10am UK time (Best of 11 legs) Gerwyn Price vs Josh Rock James Wade vs Stephen Bunting Gian van Veen vs Brody Klinge Jonny Clayton vs Damon Heta Semi-Finals (Best of 13 legs) Price/Rock v Wade/Bunting Van Veen/Klinge v Clayton/Heta Final (Best of 15 legs) Who will win this year's BoyleSports World Grand Prix? World No 1 Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action live from September 28-October 4 on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.