Luke Littler crashes out in the semi-finals of the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden to Gerwyn Price… before Rob Cross emerges triumphant in New York after thrilling final

Luke Littler was knocked out by Gerwyn Price at the US Darts Masters, before Rob Cross emerged victorious at Madison Square Garden after a thrilling final.

Premier League champions Littler made an impressive American debut on Friday evening, winning his first match in just nine minutes against Matt Campbell in front of a raucous crowd in the world’s most famous arena.

In Saturday’s semi-finals, Price raced to a 5-2 lead despite overwhelming crowd support for 17-year-old Littler.

Littler, who continues to show his impressive maturity, made an impressive comeback to level the score and ultimately had the chance to seal the victory.

But on the brink of victory with a 111 checkout, his final arrow painfully missed the target. Price, with 108 still on the board, expertly executed a 17, triple 17 and 20 to book his place in the final.

Littler failed to hit the target with an arrow that could have potentially sent him to the final

Rob Cross emerged victorious in a thrilling final, which he only led on the final stage

However, in the final it was Cross who sealed the trophy, despite not having a lead at any point until the deciding stage.

Price opened up a two-leg lead throughout the match, but Cross refused to lie down and eventually came back to seal the win.

After his win, Cross said: “It’s absolutely amazing. (I’m) very grateful to be sitting here tonight with (the US Darts Masters title).

“I feel like I played well all year, and played well last year. For me, I don’t think I need to change anything, I need to be a little more disciplined.

“It’s like a gravy train: as long as it keeps going, everything goes well.”

He also emphasized the importance of the World Series, adding: “If you want to be the best in the world, I think it’s very important to be here because you take the sport around the world.

‘Darts is as big as it’s ever been. I think darts is in a great place and that is very important, for me, for everyone.’

Littler, meanwhile, made his entrance again to the theme music of WWE star Cody Rhodes.

Littler’s US debut comes after he won the Premier League title on his debut

The teen sensation usually comes out to Pitbull and Flo Rida’s ‘Green Light’, but after a video message from Rhodes ahead of the event at Madison Square Garden, Littler changed the music to Downstait’s ‘Kingdom’.

Rhodes said in his post, “My friend, I am a fan of yours. I appreciate you as an athlete, artist and competitor.

“My man, you are a champion’s champion. From one champion to another, Luke, goodbye.”