World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting in semi-final, Van Gerwen faces Dobey – updates
LUKE LITTLER thrashed Nathan Aspinall to set up a World Darts Championship semi-final against Stephen Bunting TONIGHT.
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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Wright 1-0 Bunting (0-1)
Great hold of throw from Wright.
He found the double 13, under pressure, to nail 81.
He leads.
Wright 1-3 Bunting
Bunting won't get 167, but 139 is beautiful.
That's an incredible set up and could give Bunting a break of throw.
Wright's on 104.
And there it is. Bunting takes the first set.
Wright 1-2 Bunting
87 leaves Bunting with a lovely 52 finish.
He will return because Wright can't make 156.
Job done with the double 16, and Bunting leads.
Wright 1-1 Bunting
On his throw, Wright bites back.
He's been very precise with his darts so far, taking his time.
It's going to be an interesting first set this.
Wright 0-1 Bunting
Bunting takes the first leg.
Easy as pie, good start.
Exciting this one already.
'Loudest and maddest yet'
OCHE rock chick Polly James reckons that it’s been the LOUDEST and MADDEST World Championship yet.
She revealed: “It’s been the loudest and maddest it has ever been at the Ally Pally.
“You simply can’t hear yourself think after the match has finished. I’m sure darts fans are the noisiest in the world. It’s insane.
“When Peter Wright beat Luke Humphries I’ve never known anything like it.
“Peter said it himself, he was shocked by the atmosphere. He was close to tears because of the support he got. I told him on stage I had heart palpitations, it was a wave of noise.
“I think that’s why the players have been so emotional this year. We’ve had tears on stage from Cammy Menzies, Luke Littler, Robert Owen and Wrighty. I’m not surprised because it’s like a pressure cooker up on stage.
“I think you can feel the tension up there big time. The fans just make it electric.
“Plus I think Paddy Power’s BIGGER 180 initiative has put more pressure on and involved the fans even more.
“The fact that a player can win a fan £60,000 with a nine-darter just means every time we get a couple of 180s, the fans go wild.
“I also think that has really got to the players. When you put it all together, it’s been intoxicating this year.”
James, who is a Radio X presenter, believes it can only get even more exciting with the big matches to come.
She added: “We’ve still got the biggest clashes in the tournament. The final is going to be epic.”
Let's play darts
Peter 'Snakebite' Wright takes on Stephen 'The Bullet' Bunting in the first of two blockbuster quarter-finals.
The winner of this tie will face the victor of this evening's other last-eight clash between Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall.
It's rocking at the Palace - the players set to make their entrance shortly.
Credit: PA Red alert
Stephen Bunting hopes to wind up Man United fans by winning it all at the Ally Pally.
The Bullet faces off with Peter Wright tonight for a place in the final four.
And he harbours hopes of parading the PDC trophy around Anfield before Sunday's grudge match with United.
Bunting said: "It would be fantastic.
"And I think it would be made even more fantastic because we're playing Man Utd.
"So that'd be unbelievable. Just to shove that trophy down their throats as well."
Credit: PA Final countdown
Action not far away at Ally Pally, where the crowd are in jovial mood ahead of the evening session.
Tournament favourite Luke Littler faces Nathan Aspinall in the featured match, after Peter Wright does battle with Stephen Bunting.
- Gerwyn Price 3-5 Chris Dobey
- Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Callan Rydz
- Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting (7.10pm)
- Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall (8.45pm)
Credit: Getty
Dobey shock
Chris Dobey was speechless following his comeback win over Gerwyn Price.
Hollywood missed FIVE match darts in a thrilling seventh set, only to storm back and win the quarter-final tie 5-3.
He said: "Where does this rank in my career? It’s definitely at the top.
"It’s a massive, massive achievement in my career.
";Getting over the defeat last year and getting over the line this year, it means a lot.
"Once again, the fans have been fantastic. I’ve never been so nervous throwing at a winning double than I have today.
"It reminded me of exactly the same as last year against Rob Cross. I thought: ‘Just keep going, you’ll get another chance.’ I’m overwhelmed."
Credit: PA Foot in both camps
Nathan Aspinall is chasing a first world title at the Ally Pally.
But it all could have been very different - after the Stockport-born slinger pursued a football career during his youth.
The Asp told Sky Sports: "I got scouted to play at the Manchester United goalkeeping Academy, it was a feeder club for United and other clubs.
"I got offered contracts for Rangers when I was nine, I played for Stockport County and had trials with them.
"Football was the way I wanted to go. Every kid wants to be a footballer.
"It didn't work out for me but I played at a semi-pro level and I'm now a professional darts player.
"If I was a little bit taller I could have made it. I got released because I was too small as a goalkeeper. I wasn't tall enough."
Credit: Reuters Brotherly love
Nathan Aspinall claims Luke Littler does not have many mates on the PDC Tour "because a lot of people are jealous of him".
Ahead of their last-eight clash tonight, Aspinall said: “I see myself, not so much of a role model, but a bit of an older brother to him in the darts world.
"We don’t speak much outside of darts but when it comes to darts, I do try to help him. He’s a nice kid.
"He hasn’t got many mates on the tour because a lot of people are jealous of him. I am not.
"I appreciate what he has done for the game. What he has done for himself and his family."
Credit: Getty Still to come
Two down, two to go at the Palace.
We don't have long to wait to find out who joins MVG and Dobey in the semi-finals.
Evening action from Ally Pally is due to start at 7.10pm:
- Peter Wright vs Stephen Bunting
- Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
Credit: Getty Afternoon recap
We now know two of our four semi-finalists as Chris Dobey and Michael van Gerwen battle through at Ally Pally.
Dobey fought back from 2-0 down to Gerwyn Price, knocking the Welshman out 5-3 despite missing FIVE match darts in the seventh set.
MVG meanwhile powered past Callan Rydz, who pushed the three-time champion all the way.
- Gerwyn Price 3-5 Chris Dobey
- Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Callan Rydz
Credit: PA MVG still believes
After battling part Callan Rydz, Michael van Gerwen has issued a message to his critics.
He told Sky: "Everyone knows I have had a tough year.
"I am battling through everything. What do you want to know? I am still here, I believe in my own ability.
"This means a lot to me. Experience helps a lot but when people like Callan are throwing 180s for fun, you need to stop it.
"I had to keep putting him under pressure. He had some fantastic finishes."
Credit: PA
Game stats
MVG and the Riot serve up one of the games of the tournament.
The three-time champ gets through to the semi-finals 5-3 after eight sets of fantastic darts.
- 180s hit: 31
- Highest checkout: 154 (Van Gerwen)
- 100+ thrown: 138
- Rydz average: 103.88
- MVG average: 103.10
Credit: Reuters The Green Machine speaks
"He gave me everything. He just didn't stop throwing trebles.
"I was getting annoyed at one point!
"I was so glad with my own performance. I'm very happy.
"The game had everything. It had drama, it had 180s. To be part of games like this brings me joy.
"This was probably one of my best performances in a long time."
Credit: PA VAN GERWEN BEATS RYDZ 5-3!!
What a stunning effort from Callan Rydz.
But he falls just short of a brilliant win, with MVG fighting his way into the semi finals.
Another two 180s in that final leg, taking us to a final tally of 31.
Incredible scoring and The Riot can hold his head high.
Credit: Reuters Van Gerwen 2-2 Rydz (4-3 in sets)
We're up to THIRTY match 180s now as both players continue to pepper the trebles.
Rydz can't take out 137 for the set and MVG is able to hold his throw.
Van Gerwen 1-2 Rydz (4-3 in sets)
Nerves of steel again from Rydz.
MVG piles on the pressure and has tops if The Riot can't check out 72.
16, 16, D20. Just like that - and Rydz is now one leg away from forcing a deciding set.
Van Gerwen 1-1 Rydz (4-3 in sets)
MVG has been overshadowed in these last few legs.
But he's still ticking along, adding his own maximum to set up 82 for a 13-darter.
Away it goes.
Van Gerwen 0-1 Rydz (4-3 in sets)
Rydz now tops the tournament 180 leaderboard with 42, six ahead of Luke Littler.
He's been relentless and the dream is still on.
The Riot has the darts - if he can hold his throw through this set, we're going to a winner-takes-all decider.
It's job done in the first leg of the set, as Rydz takes out 64.
Van Gerwen 1-3 Rydz (4-3 in sets)
This is absolutely brilliant darts.
An outrageous 99 checkout from Rydz after he drops two more 180s.
Bedlam at the Ally Pally.
Credit: Reuters Van Gerwen 1-2 Rydz (4-2 in sets)
This is some effort from The Riot.
A massive checkout of 70 and he breaks the MVG throw, dropping another 180 on the way.
He now has FOURTEEN maximums.
Van Gerwen 1-1 Rydz (4-2 in sets)
Callan Rydz digs deep to halt the Van Gerwen charge.
He is also on a 9-darter to begin this leg, before a big D4 to hold throw.
That halts a run of four consecutive legs for MVG.
