Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall delivered a classic World Matchplay showdown at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, a contest that will be remembered for its high drama, relentless scoring and a spectacular nine‑dart finish from the world number one. Littler opened the match in spectacular fashion, launching the first leg with a flawless nine‑dart leg that sent the crowd into a frenzy. This was the second occasion he has begun a match against Aspinall with perfect darts, the first being at the Bahrain Darts Masters earlier in 2024.
His average of 113.68 for the night ranks as the second‑highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay, trailing only Phil Taylor’s 114.99 in 2010, and he also compiled a total of fourteen 180s during the encounter. The opening leg set the tone. Littler started with two maximums, then hit treble‑20, treble‑17 and double‑15 to complete the nine‑dart finish, prompting an eruption of cheers from the Blackpool audience. He followed that brilliance with a 14‑dart leg, and appeared poised to repeat the feat in the fourth leg, only to see his ninth dart drift wide of double‑15.
Aspinall, ever the showman, quipped that he would hand his darts to the crowd so they could try to match the extraordinary standard. Despite Littler’s blistering start and a session average of 117, Aspinall showed remarkable resilience. He held his throw throughout the first session, falling only one leg behind at the break. In the second session, Aspinall continued to play superb darts, pulling ahead to lead 6‑4 after the second break and keeping the pressure on the young champion.
Littler, however, responded with a surge of three consecutive legs on the bounce, including two crucial breaks of throw, to stretch his lead to 10‑7. Aspinall, known for thriving under pressure, fought back fiercely, narrowing the gap to 10‑8 with a series of high‑scoring visits. The match reached its climax in the nineteenth and deciding leg, where Littler calmly took out a 52 finish on the treble to clinch an 11‑8 victory. After the match, Littler told Sky Sports, "It felt amazing – probably the best game Nathan and I have ever played against each other.
I posted an average of 113, while Nathan was at 101. Six treble‑less visits in 21 legs show how consistent I was.
Nathan gave it his all, and when I missed double‑5 I knew the 170 was coming, but I’m just glad to win. The crowd started by booing me, then they turned into my biggest supporters.
The nine‑dart leg just happened, and it was unbelievable. I have to stay focused; you can’t hand the trophy away after the first or second round.
I wanted Luke Humphries to win and hoped we would meet in another final." Littler’s next challenge will be against Josh Rock in the quarter‑finals. Rock earned his place by defeating Stephen Bunting 11‑6 in a gritty encounter where both players struggled to find their usual high averages, hovering in the low 70s during the opening session. Rock rallied, taking four legs on the bounce to lead 7‑4 before sealing the match with a brilliant 140 checkout, setting up a rematch of the 2015 semi‑final in which Littler emerged victorious 17‑14. In other news, fourth seed Michael van Gerwen was eliminated in a tense 14‑12 tie‑break against fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, a loss that sees him slip provisionally to world number six.
Van Gerwen entered the tournament as the defending £100,000 champion, but the defeat also cost him his world number four ranking. The match was a rollercoaster: Van Duijvenbode took an early lead, breaking serve to go 4‑3 up and then extending to 8‑4. Despite a shoulder issue that hampered his performance, van Gerwen fought back, hitting a triple‑bull finish and a crucial break to level the match at 10‑10.
In the deciding tie‑break, Van Duijvenbode produced an eleven‑dart leg, finishing with six perfect darts to go 13‑12 ahead, and eventually clinched the win on his seventh match dart, sealing the victory with a double‑8. Van Duijvenbode will now meet Gary Anderson, who advanced to the quarter‑finals after an 11‑7 win over Jonny Clayton. This marks Anderson’s first quarter‑final appearance at the World Matchplay in six years.
After a strong first session that left him 4‑1 up, Anderson ran off five straight legs and secured a decisive break in the 15th leg to lead 9‑6, eventually holding his throw to seal his place in the last eight. The tournament continues on Wednesday with four more high‑stakes matches broadcast live on Sky Sports. Cameron Menzies will look to back his impressive victory over world number two Luke Humphries when he faces Ross Smith. Gerwyn Price will take on former world champion Rob Cross, while world number three Gian Van Veen meets in‑form Dutchman Wessel Nijman, and James Wade battles Ryan Searle.
Fans can follow all the action on Sky Sports or stream the matches via NOW, which offers a contract‑free viewing experience. The World Matchplay remains one of darts’ most prestigious events, and with Luke Littler defending his title, the competition promises even more unforgettable moments as the remaining rounds unfold.