Luke Littler is through to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship with a convincing 5-2 win over Nathan Aspinall at Alexandra Palace.
It is the 17-year-old’s second semi-final in as many tries and he now looks to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time to cap an impressive first year on the professional circuit and start 2025 in style.
In his first year on the PDC Tour, Littler won an astonishing 10 titles, including the Grand Slam and the Premier League.
Littler will now stop Stephen Buntingwho held off Peter Wright to set up a clash of two fan favorites for a place in the final.
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Watch Stephen Bunting’s son cheer on his father for quarter-final victory over Peter Wright
Saw the quarter-finals earlier Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Ridge 5-3 in a top-class contest to reach the last four for the 9th time at Alexandra Palace.
Van Gerwen will play Chris Dobeywho came back from two sets down to beat Gerwyn Price 5-3.
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Michael van Gerwen defeated Callan Ridge 5:3 to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Littler shows the class of power past Aspinall
Littler got off to a flying start in the opening set of the competition as he averaged 118.66 to win all three legs and lay down an early marker.The second set followed in similar fashion as he quickly took a two-set lead.
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Laughs all around as Littler and Aspinall joke after dropping the nine darts
Despite Littler’s early electric scores, Aspinall managed to get back into the contest and get on the board, both having fun on stage as the rain began to pour down.
Littler quickly regained his two-set lead in the fourth-set decider with a two-dart combination to take out the tops, and then a 101-dart leg put him just one set away.
‘The Asp’ fell short as he battled back to clinch the sixth set and make it 4-2, but that saw Littler step it up and finish as he started, sweeping the seventh set 101 on top. clutch to seal his place in the semi-finals.
“I think we both played very well there. I’m very happy to win,” Littler said Sky Sports.
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Littler says he plays with absolute confidence and freedom
“The crowd was chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback but I had to finish it.
“Ryan Meikle’s game was very difficult, but since then it feels like last year. I’ve been playing with absolute confidence.
“When they come in, I play with freedom, but now I’m looking at the semi-finals.
“They (the crowd) have been good to me tonight, they’ve been good to Stefan too.
“They can pick and support whoever they want tomorrow. I can see a lot of Nook shirts here, so I think I’m better off.”
Bunting remains strong against Wright
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Bunting defeats Wright to advance to the semi-finals
Bunting’s second World Cup semi-final of his career after he held off Wright to complete a 5-2 victory.
Bunting was comprehensive in the opening set and with the crowd on his side from his ‘Titanium’ walk, he averaged around 106 and found the break throw to race into a 1-0 lead.
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Bunting brings the crowd back together with another rousing performance of ‘Titanium’
His relentlessness didn’t stop in the second set either, as a 130 shot yielded another throw en route to a 2-0 lead.
Wright was given almost no chance and continued to be punished as Bunting raced to take four sets in a row, 143 bets for a break and a fourth set with white that put him firmly in control and one away from his first semi-final since 2021.
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Bunting breaks Wright 143 en route to winning the third set
However, Bunting had to wait two sets as Wright revived and took the game to 4-2 with a stunning 133 cash, two D19s that sent the Allly Pally crowd into a frenzy.
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Wright hits an astonishing 133 at the box office, finishing with two double 19s
Despite the pressure, Bunting managed to control the seventh set and with a break, a clutch 90 and a fifth match dart he finally completed a monumental victory that also moved him to world No.5.
“I was really nervous in the back room, extremely nervous,” Bunting said Sky Sports.
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Bunting credits training partner Luke Humphreys for his improved form
“Peter Wright is a fan favorite and he’s my son’s favorite player.
“I felt bad for my son, but I knew the crowd was going to be key in the middle of the game.
“And listen (to the crowd), you were unreal in the first four sets, but you have to do better.
“I was thinking to myself, just try and refocus. Every game I’ve focused on that opponent, again, the crowd is unbelievable.
“Let’s go Banting Mentally!”
What’s next?
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen headlines the first of Thursday’s matches when he takes on Dobey, who is looking to reach the final for the first time, before tournament favorite Littler meets Bunting in the other semi-final.
World Darts Championship kicks off 2025 live darts on Sky Sports, including Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
Littler is the reigning Premier League champion after defeating world No.1 Luke Humphreys in last year’s final, but will he go into this year’s event as world champion?
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship Watch the semi-finals and final exclusively live on Sky Sports’ special darts channel. Stream darts and better sports with NOW!.
