World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler THRASHES Nathan Aspinall, Bunting powers past Wright – updates
LUKE LITTLER thrashed Nathan Aspinall to set up a World Darts Championship semi-final against Stephen Bunting.
The Bullet Bunting powered past Peter Wright to make the final four at Ally Pally.
While Michael van Gerwen overcame an almighty battle with unseeded Callan Rydz to reach the semi-finals, where he will face in-form Chris Dobey.
Dobey is at his career-highest at the Worlds after Gerwyn Price missed almost FIFTY doubles and crashed out of the tournament.
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' I feel sorry for my son'
Bunting's reaction to his win over Wright was priceless. He revealed he felt sorry for his son who is a Snakebite fan!
In the back room, I felt real nervous, on edge.
"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."
Bunting v Wright match stats
Semi final brackets
More from Littler
Littler was impressed by the fans' support for him and Stephen Bunting.
He said:
The crowd were good for me and Stephen. They can take the pick whoever they want.
“I have seen a few Nuke shirts in here. I like this format, you play, go to sleep and go again. I don’t like having days off as I don’t practice. I will be up for this.”
Littler reaction
I’m so glad to win. The crowd were chanting for Nathan and wanted a comeback. I had to finish it.
“When we each won a set, we gave each other a fistbump, but when the referee says it’s ‘Game On’, it’s game on. Afterwards, we are fine.
“Dealing with pressure has been fine. The game against Ryan Meikle was very tough;
“Ever since it has felt like last year playing with absolute confidence and freedom. Now it’s the semi-finals.
Littler guaranteed £100k
Luke Littler is guaranteed to win 100k now after making the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship.
Read Rob Maul's report below. It was another impressive Littler display.
Littler's match stats
Littler wins 5-2 in sets!
Luke Littler is into the semi final!
On the Big Fish, he leaves tops.
Aspinall is miles out.
And Littler nails double 20!
Littler 2-0 Aspinall (4-2 in sets)
Littler answers a 140 from Asp with a 180.
Asp then hits a brilliant 180 to leave 84.
Littler's on 101. We've seen him do that checkout earlier.
Asp can't clean up and leaves double tops.
Nuke sinks 101! That's impressive! How do you beat that?
Littler 1-0 Aspinall (4-2 in sets)
Littler hits the bullseye for a 145 finish.
Asp is on the Big Fish, and he'll get a chance for it as Littler leaves 16.
This has to go for Aspinall... it doesn't as he leaves 55.
Double 4, after switching, hands Littler the opening leg.
Littler 2-3 Aspinall (4-2 in sets )
135 pulls Littler back in.
Asp needs a set up visit on 188, and he leaves 70. Fantastic visit from him.
Littler can only whittle his score down to 160.
Asp misses the double 8 but gets the double 4. He wins set 6. We've got a game on!
Littler 2-2 Aspinall (4-1 in sets)
Littler first to a finish with 156 to record.
For the match he misses his second treble 20, but leaves 64.
Aspinall is on 62, it's vital he gets double 16, and Asp does!
Littler 2-1 Aspinall (4-1 in sets)
Asp's 134, then followed by a 59, gives Littler a sniff.
Nuke records a good visit leaving 270.
But Asp responds and leaves 65.
Littler's on 90, Asp has two in hand but fails.
Littler, who has been looking for bullseye all night, finally finds it for a 90 checkout.
Littler 1-1 Aspinall (4-1 in sets)
121 left after two trebles were found at 20 for Nuke.
With Aspinall not on a finish, he leaves double tops.
Asp is still on 190, but it doesn't matter. Nuke returns to seal the leg.
Littler 0-1 Aspinall (4-1 in sets)
It's crucial Asp holds his throw.
And he's left double tops.
152 was in Luke's wheelhouse, but he leaves 12.
Aspinall misses double 5 at the second time of asking, until he finds it with his last dart! He's held that throw.
Littler 3-1 Aspinall (4-1 in sets)
Asp's effort is amazing and he hits a 180.
But then Littler hits his 11th. Worth noting Aspinall has notched 10 of his own this match. He's just not as effective on the doubles.
Nuke nails 81 and wins another set. It's 4-1!
Littler 2-1 Aspinall (3-1 in sets)
10th 180 now for Littler. This is getting silly now.
Nothing Asp can do to stop Littler getting a fourth set under his belt.
But Nuke misses the bullseye and stays on 24. Aspinall, under pressure, can't close 130.
Littler misses double 10 and double 5!
Asp then misses twice, failing on the double 16.
Littler steps up and records a no score, handing Asp the opportunity who finds that double AT LAST. What did I say?!
Littler 2-0 Aspinall (3-1 in sets)
Beautiful darts. Littler's ninth 180 leaves him with 101.
But Asp hits a 180 to put him on 32 and put real pressure on Nuke.
Littler nails a 101 finish! Unreal.
Littler 1-0 Aspinall (3-1 in sets)
Littler's 54 leaves him 56.
Aspinall's 134 has to go. But he can't muster it, you can see he's under pressure.
Nuke gets his favourite double 10 and there's no doubt is there? He leads.
Littler 3-2 Aspinall (3-1 in sets)
A 180 from Littler, and he can do 82 in just 11 darts.
Nuke returns and does it!
He takes the fourth set!
Littler 2-2 Aspinall (2-1 in sets)
140 leaves Aspinall on a finish.
Littler's 135 leaves him with 78. You feel Asp has to get this if he wants to break the throw.
He doesn't - with 81 - and Littler needs the bull... he misses again!
Asp needs 83 and he's so close to the bullseye, hitting the outside ring.
Five for double 10, and Littler levels up the set.
Littler 1-2 Aspinall (2-1 in sets)
Asp wants tops, can't make it.
Then double 10, and he's outside the wire.
Littler's miles out on 190, so he'll get another crack at it.
Aspinall returns and gets the double 10 he needs to hold his throw.
Littler 1-1 Aspinall (2-1 in sets)
Littler and Aspinall were both on nines, but Littler can't get to the seventh dart and Asp failed sooner.
Littler returned to nail the 84.
He levels the set.
Littler 0-1 Aspinall (2-1 in sets)
Littler's down to a finish on 82 after a 128 score.
Aspinall's out on 139.
18, now he leaves the bull. But he can't get it this time.
Aspinall was then a double 16 away from sealing the leg.
Littler misses 10, then double 5. Asp suddenly has a chance! But he misses the double 4 with his leg.
Then Littler can't close 5! What drama. Asp holds throw with a double 4! By the skin of his teeth too!
Littler 2-3 Aspinall (2-1 in sets)
Three big treble-less visits from the Nuke on the trot.
And Aspinall's finding the treble, and he's built up a nice cushion on 86.
Luke fights back with 140 of his own, while Aspinall fails to leave a finish.
Littler is first to it with 89 left. Aspinall's score of 145 gives him a tasty 41 to finish.
And Nuke misses the bull to seal the set. Aspinall can get on the board here. He picks 9, then nails the double 16.