Culture news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Littler cruises into Matchplay semis with win over Rock
Luke Littler continued his World Matchplay title defence by beating Josh Rock 16-7 in the quarter-finals in Blackpool, reaching the semi-finals with another dominant performance. The win underlined the world number one’s strong form and set up a Saturday meeting with unseeded Dutch player Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Rock matched Littler at 5-5 before the 19-year-old won five consecutive legs and pulled clear, recording 17 maximum 180s and a 109.57 scoring average. Van Duijvenbode reached his first Matchplay semi-final by holding off Gary Anderson 16-13, having led 14-6 before the 2018 champion mounted a late comeback.
In short
- Littler beat Rock 16-7 to reach the Matchplay semi-finals.
- He recorded 17 180s and a 109.57 average.
- Van Duijvenbode will face Littler on Saturday.
Explained simply
The World Matchplay is one of darts' most prestigious tournaments, held annually and watched widely across the UK. It features the sport's top players competing in single-elimination knockout matches, where a single defeat eliminates competitors from the event.
Luke Littler is the 19-year-old world number one and the defending champion at this tournament. He won the World Matchplay last year and is now among darts' biggest stars.
Littler's continued progression in this tournament demonstrates he is in strong form as he attempts to win the title again. Each victory brings him closer to another final and the prospect of winning the competition in back-to-back years.