Luke Littler prepares for semi-final showdown with Stephen Bunting after convincing win over Nathan Aspinall

Luke Littler advances to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship after a convincing 5-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall at Alexandra Palace.

It is the 17-year-old’s second semi-final in as many attempts and he will now hope to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time to cap off an impressive first year on the professional circuit and start 2025 in style.

In his first year on the PDC Tour, Littler won 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 two fan favorites for a place in the final.

Previous quarter-finals saw Michael van Gerwen beat Callan Rydz 5-3 in a high-quality match to reach the last four for the ninth time at Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen jouera Chris Dobeywho came back from two sets down to defeat Gerwyn Price 5-3.

Littler shows class to overtake Aspinall

Littler got off to a flying start in the first set of the competition as – with an average of 118.66 – he won all three sets to establish an early scorer. The second set played out in a similar fashion as he quickly took a two-set advantage.

Despite Littler’s electric early scores, Aspinall managed to get back into the contest and get a set on the board, with the two having fun on stage as it began to rain in full force.

Littler quickly managed to restore his two-set advantage in the fourth set decider with a two-dart combination to take out the tops, then a 12-dart leg for a check-out of 101, which only put him to a set.

“The Asp” wasn’t finished as he fought back to win the sixth set and make it 4-2, but that saw Littler step up a gear and finish as he started, shutting out the seventh set with a clutch 101 on the highs. seal their place in the semi-finals.

“I thought we both played really well there. I’m so happy to win,” Littler said Aerial sports.

“The crowd was chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it.

“The match against Ryan Meikle was very difficult, but since then it’s been like last year. I just play with absolute confidence.

“When they come in, I play with freedom, but now I watch the semi-finals.

“They have [the crowd] It was good for me tonight. They were also good to Stephen.

“They can make their choice and support whoever they want tomorrow. I can see quite a few Nuke shirts here, so I think I’m in the best position!

Bunting stays strong against Wright

Bunting is in the second World Championship semi-final of his career after holding off Wright’s fightback to claim a 5-2 victory.

Bunting was complete in the first set and, with the crowd on his side from his replacement “Titanium”, he averaged almost 106 and found a throwing break to take an early 1-0 lead.

Her relentlessness didn’t stop in the second set either, as a 130 check in the target brought another throwing break on the verge of wrapping up a 2-0 advantage.

Wright had virtually no opportunities and continued to be punished as Bunting won four sets in a row, a checkout of 143 for a break and a whitewashed fourth set, putting him firmly in control and at one of its first semi-final since 2021. .

However, Bunting had to wait two sets as Wright made his resurgence and took the match to 4-2, a mind-boggling score of 133 with two D19s sending the Ally Pally crowd into a frenzy.

Despite the pressure, Bunting managed to take control of the seventh set and with a throwing break, a clutch 90 and a fifth match dart, he ultimately achieved a monumental victory that also propelled him to world number 5.

“In the back room, I felt really nervous, nervous,” Bunting said. Aerial 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 was going to get crucial in the middle of the match.

“And listen [to the crowd] In the first four sets you were unreal but you have to do better.

“I said to myself: try to refocus. In every match, I focused on this opponent. The crowd, still incredible.

“Let’s go, Mental Bunting!” »

What’s next?

Three-time world champion Van Gerwen will headline Thursday’s opener against Dobey, who is looking to reach the final for the first time, before pre-tournament favorite Littler takes on Bunting in the another semi-final.

The World Darts Championship kicks off a big 2025 of live darts on Sky Sports, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.

Littler is the reigning Premier League champion after beating world number 1 Luke Humphries in last year’s final – but will he go into this year’s events as a 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 many other top sports with NOW.