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

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

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.

"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.

HETA THROUGH & ON FIRE 🔥 Damon Heta wins five legs on the spin to assert his credentials as Australian number one, sweeping aside Joe Comito 6-2 to complete the quarter-final lineup in Wollongong! #AusDarts | R1 📺 https://t.co/qCZDyZW8Y9 pic.twitter.com/dvls3JXyE6