Luke Littler delivered a commanding performance at the World Matchplay, blasting through the defending champion 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 placed him on the brink of a historic back‑to‑back title defence, a feat not achieved at this event since Michael van Gerwen did it ten years ago. The young English prodigy posted an impressive 109.57 three‑dart average, rattled off 17 maximums (180s) and hit doubles at a 53 percent success rate.
Those numbers underscore how comfortably he commanded the match from start to finish. After the win, Littler told Sky Sports, "Another brilliant game for myself.
I've gone 109, 113, 109 again, so I've just got to keep it going. 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 got the job done." Littler and Rock have a recent history at this stage of the tournament.
Exactly one year earlier, the two met in the semi‑finals, where Littler edged a dramatic 18‑15 win that included a nine‑dart finish. This time, however, the opening ten legs were tightly contested before Littler seized control, stringing together a run of five consecutive legs in the second session. Remarkably, Rock failed to hit a single double during that stretch, allowing Littler to extend the streak to seven straight legs and push the score to 13‑6.
The decisive moment arrived in the 23rd leg when the 19‑year‑old broke Rock's throw again, finishing the leg with a clean 44. Rock managed to hold his own throw once more, but Littler's third match dart sealed the win, sending him to the semi‑finals with a place in the final within reach. On the opposite side of the draw, Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode endured a dramatic battle against the seasoned Gary Anderson. Van Duijvenbode led 15‑8 and was just one leg away from victory when Anderson roared back, averaging over 114 and producing a massive 154 checkout to claim five consecutive legs.
It appeared the former world champion might pull off a miraculous comeback. Yet, Van Duijvenbode steadied his nerves, reclaimed his composure and clinched the final leg with his favourite D10, winning 16‑13.
Reflecting on the match, Van Duijvenbode said, "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." The Dutchman had started the first session strongly, breaking Anderson's throw twice and finishing with a 107 checkout to lead 4‑1.
A second break and a clutch 112 checkout extended his advantage to 8‑3. Anderson fought back, taking three legs in a row, including a daring bullseye finish for 84, but Van Duijvenbode held his throw to keep the gap at 9‑6.
The turning point came in the third session when Van Duijvenbode went on a five‑leg tear, leaving Anderson trailing 14‑6. The former world champion, desperate for a miracle, managed to claw back a few legs, but the Dutchman's composure proved decisive, and he secured the win.
The quarter‑finals will continue on Friday, with live coverage from 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Action. Returning to the draw, Gian van Veen will meet James Wade for a second consecutive quarter‑final, while Gerwyn Price is set to face Ross Smith, who advanced after Cameron Menzies withdrew due to illness. Looking ahead, all eyes are on Littler as he attempts to defend his title. If he can maintain the high averages, prolific 180s and clinical finishing that have characterised his run so far, a repeat victory could cement his status as one of the sport's rising stars.
Fans can follow every dart, every checkout, and every surprise moment on Sky Sports or stream the action via NOW, ensuring the excitement of the World Matchplay reaches a global audience. In summary, Luke Littler's dominant display over Josh Rock, combined with Dirk van Duijvenbode's gritty win over Gary Anderson, sets up a compelling semi‑final showdown. Both young talents have demonstrated the skill, composure and mental toughness required to succeed on the biggest stages, and their upcoming encounter promises to be a highlight of the tournament. The path to the final is now clear, and the darts world eagerly awaits to see whether Littler can become the first back‑to‑back champion at the World Matchplay since van Gerwen, or if Van Duijvenbode will continue his breakthrough run and add his name to the list of recent surprise performers.