Luke Littler delivered a dominant performance at the World Matchplay, dispatching Josh Rock 16‑7 to book a place in the semi‑finals where he will meet Dirk van Duijvenbode, who survived a gripping encounter with Gary Anderson. Littler’s victory not only puts him on a collision course with the Dutchman but also puts him in position to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen a decade ago to win back‑to‑back titles at this event. Littler’s statistics from the match underline just how thorough his display was. He posted a 109.57 three‑dart average, hit 17 maximums (180s) and converted doubles at a 53 % success rate.
Those numbers place him among the tournament’s elite performers and suggest he is in superb form heading into the next round. Speaking to Sky Sports after the win, the 19‑year‑old said, “Another brilliant game for me. I’ve been averaging 109, 113, 109 again, so I just have to keep that going.” He added a note of respect for his opponent: “Fair play to Josh. He gave me a really good game.
I think it was the third session where I won all five legs. I got a good lead and just stayed there to finish the job.” Littler and Rock have a recent history at the World Matchplay.
A year earlier they met in the semi‑finals, where Littler edged a dramatic 18‑15 win that included a nine‑dart finish. This time, however, the contest was far less balanced. After a tight opening ten legs, Littler seized control, stringing together a series of high‑scoring legs that left Rock scrambling. Rock started strongly, matching Littler’s throws and even producing a 129 checkout that raised the stakes at 5‑5.
Yet Littler’s second‑session surge proved decisive. He rattled off five consecutive legs, during which Rock failed to hit a single double. Littler extended that run to seven straight legs, pushing the score to 13‑6.
The Northern Irishman managed only two holds of throw after that, and the 19‑year‑old broke his throw again in the 23rd leg, finishing the leg with a tidy 44. With that, Littler sealed the match, celebrated his third match dart and secured his favourite D10 as a trophy. On the other side of the draw, Dirk van Duijvenbode survived a sensational comeback from Gary Anderson to claim a 16‑13 victory and reach his first semi‑final in Blackpool. Van Duijvenbode had been 15‑8 up and was just one leg away from the win when Anderson roared back, averaging over 114 and taking five legs in a row, highlighted by a massive 154 checkout.
It seemed the former world champion might pull off a miracle, but van Duijvenbode found his rhythm at the crucial moment, hitting his decisive double and clinching the match. Van Duijvenbode reflected on the drama, telling Sky Sports, “The break came at a terrible moment for me, but Gary 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.” He admitted that nerves crept in, saying, “At some point I felt nerves in my stomach,” but he managed to keep his composure. The opening session of the van Duijvenbode‑Anderson quarter‑final saw the Dutchman break Anderson’s throw twice and finish the first five legs with a 107 checkout, taking a 4‑1 lead. The second session mirrored the first: another break of throw followed by a clutch 112 checkout left Anderson trailing 8‑3.
Anderson fought back, taking three legs in a row, including an 84 finish on the bull, narrowing the gap to 9‑6. Van Duijvenbode held his own throw, but Anderson kept the pressure on.
The tide turned dramatically in the third session when van Duijvenbode went on a five‑leg streak, leaving Anderson broken three times and the score at 14‑6. Anderson, a former world champion, seemed poised for a miracle, but van Duijvenbode found the decisive moment, sealing the win and advancing to the semi‑finals.
The quarter‑finals will continue on Friday, with live coverage from 7.30 pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Action. Returning to the stage are Gian van Veen and James Wade, who will meet for a second consecutive year; Wade will be looking to avenge his 2025 loss to “The Machine.” In another match, Gerwyn Price will face Ross Smith, who progressed after Cameron Menzies withdrew due to illness. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Luke Littler, the defending champion, to see if he can repeat his triumph and add another World Matchplay crown to his résumé.
Fans can follow every throw on Sky Sports or stream the action through NOW, which offers live darts alongside a range of other top‑level sports.