Luke Littler, the 18-year-old PDC World Champion and World No. 2, powered into the quarter-finals of the 2025 US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden with a commanding 6-2 victory over Jules van Dongen on June 27, per *Sky Sports*. Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” averaged 98.76 and hit four 180s, showcasing his clinical finishing to set up a last-eight clash with Nathan Aspinall, who defeated Matt Campbell 6-3, per *dartsnews.com*. However, defending champion Rob Cross and World No. 4 Stephen Bunting suffered shock first-round defeats, shaking up the tournament.
Cross, the 2024 US Darts Masters winner, was stunned 6-4 by American Danny Lauby, who capitalized on Cross’s missed doubles (4/16) with a 94.12 average and a crucial 108 checkout, per *The Mirror US*. Bunting, a two-time World Series champion in 2025, fell 6-3 to Jason Brandon, who outscored him with a 92.67 average and sealed the match on double 16, per *Sky Sports*. These upsets, reported by *Daily Mail*, ended hopes of a Cross-Bunting rematch after their Nordic Darts Masters final earlier in June, where Bunting won 8-4.
Littler’s dominant performance keeps him on track for a first US Darts Masters title, with Aspinall, a 2019 champion, posing a significant challenge after his own strong showing, per *Express.co.uk*. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Luke Humphries survived a scare against Stowe Buntz, winning 6-4, and Michael van Gerwen cruised past Leonard Gates 6-2, per *Sky Sports*. Fans on X, like @DartsFanatic, hailed Littler’s “unstoppable form,” while @PDCUpdates lamented Cross’s “shocking exit.” The quarter-finals, live on Sky Sports, promise intense battles as Littler eyes another major title.
