Luke Littler delivered a commanding performance at the World Matchplay, cruising past Josh Rock with a 16-7 victory and booking a semi-final clash with Dirk van Duijvenbode, who survived a nail‑biting encounter with Gary Anderson. Littler’s win not only propelled him into the last four but also put him on a potential historic path: he could become the first player to defend the World Matchplay title since Michael van Gerwen achieved the feat a decade ago. Littler’s statistics from the match underline just how dominant he was. He posted an average of 109.57, struck 17 maximum 180s and hit doubles at a 53 percent success rate.
Those numbers rank among the best ever recorded at the event and illustrate why he is being hailed as a rising star of the sport. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the 19‑year‑old said, "Another brilliant game for myself. I've gone 109, 113, 109 again, so I've just got to keep it going." He added praise for his opponent, "Fair play to Josh. He gave me a really good game there.
I think it was the third session where I won all five legs. I kind of got myself into that lead and I just had to stay there and get the job done." Littler and Rock have a recent history at this stage of the tournament. A year earlier they met in the semi‑finals, where Littler edged an 18‑15 thriller that featured a spectacular nine‑dart finish. This time, however, the match unfolded very differently.
After a tight opening ten legs, Littler seized control, stringing together a series of high‑scoring visits that left Rock scrambling. Rock started brightly, matching Littler’s breaks of throw and even hitting a 129 checkout that raised the excitement level for the young crowd. At 5‑5 the contest appeared evenly balanced, but Littler soon turned the tide.
In the second session he ran off five consecutive legs, a run during which Rock failed to land a single dart at double. Littler extended that streak to seven straight legs, pushing the score to 13‑6. Rock managed only two holds of throw in that period, and the pressure mounted.
The decisive moment arrived in the 23rd leg when Littler broke Rock’s throw again, finishing the leg with a clean 44. With his third match dart, the defending champion sealed the leg, took his favourite D10 and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The result confirmed Littler’s status as the player to watch in Blackpool. On the opposite side of the draw, Dirk van Duijvenbode earned his semi‑final berth by surviving a dramatic 16‑13 comeback against Gary Anderson. Van Duijvenbode had built a 15‑8 lead, just one leg away from victory, when Anderson roared back, averaging over 114 and hitting a massive 154 checkout to claim five straight legs. It seemed a miracle might be in the making, but van Duijvenbode dug deep, re‑establishing his composure and clinching the final leg with his third dart to secure the win.
Reflecting on the match, van Duijvenbode told Sky Sports, "To be fair the break couldn't come at a worse moment. You just know Gary loves the game. He never gives up. He's probably the best in the world when he hits the trebles.
I expected the 154. He didn't miss, but I always think my opponent will hit it. At some point I felt nerves in my stomach." He added that his early breaks of throw, including a 107 checkout in the opening session and a 112 in the second, had set the tone for his dominance. Anderson, a former world champion, fought valiantly, taking three legs in a row with a clutch bullseye finish for 84, before van Duijvenbode held his throw to stay ahead.
The Dutchman then surged back, taking all five legs in the next session and breaking Anderson three times, leaving the Englishman trailing 14‑6. Although Anderson displayed flashes of brilliance that reminded fans why he is considered one of the greats, van Duijvenbode ultimately found the decisive moment to close out the match. The quarter‑finals continue on Friday, with live coverage from 7.30 pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Action. Fans can look forward to a repeat showdown between Gian van Veen and James Wade – a rematch of last year’s quarter‑final – as Wade seeks revenge for his 2025 loss to "The Machine".
Meanwhile, Gerwyn Price will take on Ross Smith, who advanced after Cameron Menzies withdrew due to illness. As the tournament progresses, the question on everyone’s mind is who will lift the World Matchplay trophy this year. Luke Littler, now the defending champion, will be looking to repeat his triumph, while van Duijvenbode aims to claim his first major title.
The drama, high scores and unforgettable finishes promise more excitement as the competition moves toward its climax. Viewers can catch every dart, every checkout and every upset by streaming the action on NOW, the official partner for live darts on Sky Sports.