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Luke Littler entered the semi-finals of the World Matchplay, knocking off Josh Rock to set up a meeting with Dirk van Duyvenbode, who came through a thriller against Gary Anderson.
Litter beat Rock 16-7 as he looks to become the first man since Michael van Gerwen a decade ago to go back-to-back in the tournament.
In what is shaping up to be a tournament for the record books, Littler’s stats have once again impressed. He posted an average of 109.57 in 17 180s and a 53 per cent success rate in doubles.
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Luke Littler admits he played some of the best darts of his career after a dominant World Matchplay quarter-final win over Josh Rock
“Another great game for me. I (averaged) 109, 113, 109 again so I’ve got to keep it going,” Littler said. Sky Sports.
“Fair play to Josh. He gave me a really good game there. I think it was the third session where I won five legs.
“I brought myself to that lead and I had to stay in there and get the job done.”
Littler and Rock met in the semifinals of this tournament just over a year ago when Littler won an epic 18-15, hitting a nine-darter along the way.
But after closing 10 legs to start Thursday’s match, it was Littler as he entered the other semi-final.
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Mark Webster admits he doesn’t see anyone beating Littler at this year’s World Matchplay
Rock was in the zone early in the contest and matched every break thrown at him, a 129 checkout from ‘The Nuke’ a highlight as the pair of young stars saw a real battle at 5-5.
However, as is now customary from Littler, he took control in the second session to reel off five legs in a row. Notably, the Rock didn’t get a Dart Dart during that time.
He extended that lead to seven legs in a row before Rock could stop the onslaught. Sitting 13-6 behind, the Northern Irishman had two throws.
The final blow came in the 23rd leg when the 19-year-old broke Rock’s throw again as he made 44 clean.
With that, the defending champion came to hold his throw and took his favorite D10 with his third match dart.
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Luke Littler produced an incredible nine-darter to open his clash with Nathan Aspinall at Blackpool’s Winter Garden.
Andersson held Van Duyvenbod after the rally
Van Duyvenbode A remarkable fightback held off Anderson in a 16-13 thriller to book a place in the semi-finals in Blackpool for the first time in his career.
The Dutchman was leading 15-8, just one from victory, when Anderson roared back and averaged over 114 with a massive 154 checkout to take five legs in a row. It looked like he was just about to perform a miracle.
However, when he needed to, Van Duyvenbode found his form to pin D10 for a huge win.
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End of World Matchplay Darts Quarter Final between Gary Anderson and Dirk van Duyvenbod
“Honestly, the break couldn’t have come at a worse time,” Van Duyvenbode said. “You just know Gary loves the game. Sky Sports.
“He’s probably the best in the world when he hits the treble.
“I expected (154). He didn’t miss, but I always think my opponent will hit it.”
The Dutchman added: “At some point I felt nerves in my stomach.”
The opening session went Van Duyvenbode’s way, with the Dutchman finding two breaks on throws and ending the five legs with a 4-1 lead with a 107 checkout.
The second session was similar to the first and when Van Duijvenbode found another break on the throw and followed it up with a clutch 112 checkout, it looked ominous for Andersson with an 8-3 lead over his opponent.
Anderson had some work to do and took three legs out on spin with a clutch bullseye finish of 84 to get back into the contest.
Van Duyvenbode stopped the rot with a throw but got back to a contest at 9-6.
The flying Scotsman fell away with five legs of the Dutchman in the next session until van Duyvenbode returned to fire.
Anderson’s throw was broken three times in a miracle for the former world champion trailing 14-6.
And so almost a miracle happened. Anderson showed he is one of the best in the game, but Van Duyvenbod finally found the singular moment he needed to get over the line.
What’s happening in World Matchplay Darts on Friday?
The quarter-finals continue on Friday at World Matchplay, live on Sky Sports’ Main Event and Action from 7.30pm.
Gian van Veen and James Wade will battle it out in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive year, with the world No.3 looking to avenge his loss to ‘The Machine’ in 2025.
Then, Garwin Price faced Ross Smith. Smith reached the quarter-finals after Cameron Menzies withdrew from their second-round match in the fourth leg due to illness.
Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will defend his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more great games now.
