--- title: "Littler and Humphries through as Rock falls in New York" description: "Littler and Humphries move on to the US Darts Masters quarters while Jim Long upsets Josh Rock, setting the stage for a heated World Matchplay." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/us-darts-masters-luke-littler-luke-humphries-safely-throug-95c31486 published: 2026-06-30T10:58:42.157+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T10:58:42.157+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Littler and Humphries through as Rock falls in New York > Littler and Humphries move on to the US Darts Masters quarters while Jim Long upsets Josh Rock, setting the stage for a heated World Matchplay. Luke Littler and Luke Humphries secured places in the US Darts Masters quarter‑finals on Saturday, while defending champion Josh Rock was knocked out by Canada’s Jim Long in a shock upset. The tournament, hosted at the iconic venue in New York, saw Littler dispatch his opponent with a clean 5‑2 leg margin, and Humphries follow suit, edging his match 5‑3. Both 20 victories place the Englishmen among the eight contenders vying for the title in the next round. Meanwhile, Jim Long, ranked outside the top 50, delivered a clinical performance, edging Rock 5‑4 after a tense final leg that left the crowd stunned. Alongside the headline results, seasoned campaign Stephen Bunting, former world champion Gerwyn Price, and rising Dutch talent Gian van Veen each booked quarter‑final spots, reinforcing the depth of the field. Their wins, recorded on the same day, underscore the tournament’s role as a barometer for form ahead of the summer’s marquee events. The darts community reacted swiftly. Social media feeds lit up with surprise and admiration for Long’s composure, while pundits highlighted the volatility of the summer swing. Analysts noted that the upset reshapes the narrative, turning a predictable showdown into an open‑ended battle for the remaining title contenders. The upset wasn’t just a statistical anomaly—it exposed the fragility of top‑seeded narratives in a sport where consistency is king. Rock’s exit followed a pattern of early exits for high‑ranked players in recent summer events, suggesting that the circuit’s unpredictability is becoming a defining trait. Coaches and players privately admit that the summer swing’s condensed schedule and high‑pressure formats amplify the risk of upsets, making every match a potential minefield. The quarter‑finals also reveal a generational shift, with Littler and van Veen representing the new guard against established names like Bunting and Price. This clash of experience and youth adds another layer to the narrative, as younger players increasingly challenge the old guard’s dominance. The contrast between Littler’s clinical finish and Humphries’ gritty resilience highlights how different paths can lead to the same destination in darts. The darts community reacted swiftly. Social media feeds lit up with surprise and admiration for Long’s composure, while pundits highlighted the volatility of the summer swing. Analysts noted that the upset reshapes the narrative, turning a predictable showdown into an open‑ended battle for the remaining title contenders. The summer swing’s unpredictability isn’t just a talking point—it’s a tactical reality. Players now enter every event with a clear understanding that seeding means little once the lights are on. Long’s victory over Rock wasn’t just a fluke; it was a tactical masterclass in exploiting Rock’s occasional lapses in concentration during high‑pressure legs. His ability to maintain composure under fire, a hallmark of seasoned campaigners, suggests that the next generation isn’t just knocking on the door—it’s already inside the house. What’s next: The quarter‑finals will be played later this week, with the winners advancing to the semi‑finals before the US Darts Masters concludes on Sunday. All eyes now turn to the World Matchplay in Blackpool, where the summer swing will culminate in what is expected to be a fiercely contested showdown for the sport’s most coveted title. The darts community reacted swiftly. Social media feeds lit up with surprise and admiration for Long’s composure, while pundits highlighted the volatility of the summer swing. Analysts noted that the upset reshapes the narrative, turning a predictable showdown into an open‑ended battle for the remaining title contenders. ## Why this matters Josh Rock’s early exit disrupts the expected storyline of the US Darts Masters, opening the draw for other contenders and injecting fresh intrigue into the summer circuit. With Littler and Humphries now positioned as serious title hopefuls, the tournament’s outcomes will shape confidence and form heading into the World Matchplay, the premier summer event that often defines the season’s hierarchy. The upset also underscores a broader trend: the summer swing is no longer a predictable proving ground for the elite, but a battleground where underdogs can rewrite the script. ## Frequently asked ### Who defeated Josh Rock at the US Darts Masters? Canadian Jim Long upset defending champion Josh Rock in a close 5‑4 match. ### Which English players advanced to the quarter‑finals? Luke Littler and Luke Humphries both secured quarter‑final berths with solid victories. ### Who else reached the quarter‑finals besides Littler and Humphries? Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, and Gian van Veen also progressed to the last eight. ### Why is the World Matchplay significant after the US Darts Masters? The World Matchplay is the marquee summer showdown, and performances at the US Darts Masters often set the tone for contenders heading into that event. ### How does Jim Long’s ranking compare to the other quarter‑finalists? Long is ranked outside the top 50, making his upset of Rock—a top seed—one of the biggest shocks in recent darts history. ### What does this upset mean for the summer swing narrative? It reinforces the idea that the summer swing is becoming more unpredictable, with underdogs capable of derailing even the most favored contenders. ## Sources & Citations - [US Darts Masters: Luke Littler, Luke Humphries safely through to quarters as Josh Rock crashes out in New York](https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/13557900/us-darts-masters-luke-littler-luke-humphries-safely-through-to-quarters-as-josh-rock-crashes-out-in-new-york) — GNews.io (2026-06-26) --- Cite: Littler and Humphries through as Rock falls in New York. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/us-darts-masters-luke-littler-luke-humphries-safely-throug-95c31486