Luke Littler is through to the World Darts Championship semi-finals after a convincing 5-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall at Alexandra Palace.
It is the 17-year-old’s second semi-final in as many attempts and he is now looking to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time to cap off an impressive first year on the professional circuit and begin 2025 in style.
In his first year on the PDC Tour, Littler has picked up a staggering 10 titles including the Grand Slam and the Premier League.
Littler will now face Stephen Bunting, who held off Peter Wright to set up the clash of two fan favourites for a spot in the final.
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Watch as Stephen Bunting’s son cheers on his dad to a quarter-final victory over Peter Wright
The earlier quarter-finals saw Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 5-3 in a high-quality contest to reach the last four for the ninth time at Alexandra Palace.
Van Gerwen will play Chris Dobey, who came back from two sets down to defeat Gerwyn Price 5-3.
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Michael van Gerwen beats Callan Rydz 5-3 to go through to the semi-finals of the World Championship
Littler shows class to power past Aspinall
Littler got off to a blistering start in the opening set of the contest as – with an average of 118.66 – he won all three legs to lay down an early marker. The second set followed in a similar fashion as he quickly romped to a two-set advantage.
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Laughs all round as Littler and Aspinall joke after missing out on nine-darters
Despite Littler’s early electric scoring, Aspinall managed to work his way back into the contest and get a set on the board, the two having fun up on the stage as it started to rain maximums.
Littler quickly managed to restore his two-set advantage in the decider of the fourth set with a two-dart combination to take out tops and then a 12-dart leg for a 101 checkout put him just a set away.
‘The Asp’ was not done as he battled back to clinch the sixth set and bring the score to 4-2 but that saw Littler go up a gear and finish as he started, whitewashing the seventh set with a clutch 101 checkout on tops to seal his spot in the semis.
“I think we both played very well there. I’m so glad to win,” Littler told Sky Sports.
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Littler says he is playing with absolute confidence and freedom
“The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it.
“The Ryan Meikle game was very tough but ever since it has felt like last year. I’m just playing with absolute confidence.
“When they’re going in I’m playing with freedom, but now I’m looking on to the semi-finals.
“They’ve [the crowd] been good for me tonight. They’ve also been good to Stephen.
“They can take their pick and support whoever they want to tomorrow. I can see quite a few Nuke shirts in here, so I think I’ve got on the better!”
Bunting stays strong against battling Wright
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Bunting defeats Wright to reach the semi-final
Bunting is in the second World Championship semi-final of his career after he held off a Wright fightback to wrap up a 5-2 victory.
Bunting was comprehensive in the opening set and, with the crowd on his side from his ‘Titanium’ walk-on, he averaged nearly 106 and found a break of throw to quickly move into a 1-0 lead.
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Bunting pumps up the crowd again with another stirring rendition of ‘Titanium’
His relentlessness did not stop in the second set either as a 130 checkout on the bullseye brought another break of throw on the way to wrapping up a 2-0 advantage.
Wright was given next to no opportunities and continued to be punished as Bunting cruised to take four sets in a row, a 143 checkout for a break and a whitewash fourth set putting him firmly in control and one away from his first semi-final since 2021.
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Bunting breaks Wright with a 143 checkout on the way to winning the third set
However, Bunting was made to wait two sets as Wright had his resurgence and brought the match to 4-2, a mind-boggling 133 checkout with two D19s sending the Ally Pally crowd into frenzy.
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Wright hits a stunning 133 checkout, finishing on two double 19s
Despite the pressure, Bunting managed to take control of the seventh set and with a break of throw, clutch 90 checkout, and a fifth match dart he finally wrapped up a monumental victory which also moved him up to world No 5.
“In the back room, I felt real nervous, on edge,” Bunting told Sky Sports.
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Bunting gives credit to training partner Luke Humphries for his improved form
“Peter Wright is a fan favourite and he is my son’s favourite player.
“I felt sorry for my son, but I knew the crowd was going to turn pivotal in the middle of the game.
“And listen [to the crowd] in the first four sets you were unreal but you have got to do better.
“I thought to myself just try and refocus. Each and every game I have just focused on that opponent. The crowd, unbelievable again.
“Let’s go Bunting mental!”
What’s next?
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen headlines the first of Thursday’s fixtures as he faces Dobey, looking to reach the final for the first time, before pre-tournament favourite Littler takes on Bunting in the other semi-final.
The World Darts Championship kicks off a big 2025 of live darts on Sky Sports, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
Littler is defending champion of the Premier League after beating world No 1 Luke Humphries in last year’s final – but will he enter this year’s events as the world champion?
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch the semi-finals and final exclusively live on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
