Defending champion Luke Littler thrashed unseeded Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 to reach the World Matchplay final in Blackpool, where he will face Wales' Gerwyn Price on Sunday. Littler is chasing back-to-back Matchplay titles, a feat only achieved previously by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, and the win extended his remarkable run to 28 consecutive victories in matches of 20 legs or more.

Littler averaged 117.10 early on before dropping to just under 111, still leaving him on course to beat Taylor's all-time tournament average record. His prize-money haul has now passed £3m on the PDC order of merit, more than £2m clear of Luke Humphries. Price reached the final by beating Gian van Veen 17-10, a result that also lifts him above Jonny Clayton to become Welsh number one; Littler has won nine of the pair's last ten meetings, and the final is due to start at 20:05 BST on Sunday.