World Darts Championship: Luke Littler sets up semi-final showdown for Stephen Bunting after convincing win over Nathan Aspinall | News darts
Luke Littler is through to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship after a convincing 5-2 win 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 pro circuit and start 2025 in style.
In his first year on the PDC Tour, Littler won an incredible 10 titles including the Grand Slam and the Premier League.
Littler will now face Stephen Buntingwho held off Peter Wright to set up a clash between the two fan favorites for a place in the final.
He saw the earlier quarter-finals 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 Dobeywho came back from two sets down to defeat Gerwyn Price 5-3.
Littler shows his class and power over Aspinall
Littler got off to a flying start in the first set of the competition as he – averaging 118.66 – won all three legs to set an early marker. The second set followed in similar fashion as he quickly raced to a two-set lead.
Despite Littler’s early electric scoring, Aspinall was able to claw his way back into the contest and get the set on the board, the two having fun on stage as the rain began to fall.
Littler quickly regained his two-set advantage in the decisive fourth set with a two-dart combo to knock out the tops, then a 12-dart leg for a 101 checkout left him just a set away.
‘The Asp’ wasn’t done as he battled back to take the sixth set to make it 4-2, but that forced Littler to pick up the pace and finish as he started, taking the seventh set with a clutch 101 checkout on the tips to seal his spot in the semi-finals.
“I think we both played very well there. I’m so glad I won,” Littler said Sky Sports.
The crowd was chanting for Nathan, they wanted a comeback, but I had to finish it.
“The match with Ryan Meikle was very difficult, but since then I feel like last year. I just play with absolute confidence.
“When they enter, I play freely, but now I’m looking at the semi-finals.
“They did [the crowd] I was fine tonight. They were also good to Stephen.
“Tomorrow they can pick and root for whoever they want. I can see a lot of Nuke shirts here, so I think I’m better!”
Bunting remains strong against a struggling Wright
Bunting is in the second World Cup semi-final of his career after holding off Wright to claim a 5-2 victory.
Bunting was all-round in the first set and, with the crowd on his side since his ‘Titanium’ walk-on, he averaged almost 106 and found break points to quickly race into a 1-0 lead.
His relentlessness didn’t stop in the second set either as a 130 checkout on the bullseye yielded another break of throw en route to a 2-0 lead.
Wright was given almost no opportunities and continued to be punished as Bunting took four sets in a row, 143 check-outs for a break and a fourth set that put him firmly in control and one away from his first semi-final since 2021.
However, Bunting had to wait two sets as Wright stormed back to take the match 4-2, an incredible 133 checkout with two D19s sending the Ally Pally crowd into a frenzy.
Despite the pressure, Bunting managed to take control of the seventh set with a break of throw, a clutch 90 checkout and a fifth match dart to finally seal a monumental victory that also moved him up to No. 5 in the world.
“In the back room I felt really nervous, on edge,” Bunting said Sky Sports.
“Peter Wright is a fan favorite and he is my son’s favorite player.
“I felt sorry for my son, but I knew the crowd would become crucial in the middle of the game.
“And listen [to the crowd] you were unreal in the first four sets, but you have to be better.
“I thought to myself, just try to refocus. Every game I just focused on that opponent. The crowd, amazing again.
“Let’s go Bunting mental!”
What’s next?
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen heads Thursday’s first leg as he meets Dobey, seeking to reach the final for the first time, before pre-tournament favorite Littler takes on Bunting in the other semi-final.
The World Darts Championship kicks off major darts live in 2025 on Sky Sports, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
Littler is the defending Premier League champion after beating world number one Luke Humphries in last year’s final – but will he go into this year’s events as 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 sports with NOW.
