The World Darts Championship has reached the semi-final stage, with wonderkid Luke Littler facing Stephen Bunting after Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobey for a place in Friday’s final
The World Darts Championship has reached the semi-final stage, with wonderkid Luke Littler facing Stephen Bunting after Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobey for a place in Friday’s final The World Darts Championship has reached the semi-final stage, with wonderkid Luke Littler facing Stephen Bunting after Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobey for a place in Friday’s final
Luke Littler is hoping to book his place in his second successive World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace tonight.
Littler was the runner-up last year, losing 7-4 to Luke Humphries in the final. Humphries suffered a shock exit to Peter Wright in the Last 16, while Littler has largely eased through the tournament.
The 17-year-old has beaten Ryan Meikle, Ian White, Ryan Joyce and Nathan Aspinall to set up a semi-final tie against Stephen Bunting. In the other final four clash, two-time world champion Michael van Gerwen will take on huge underdog Chris Dobey.
The evening session starts at 7.30pm, with Van Gerwen vs Dobey kicking off the action before Littler takes on Bunting. Follow all the latest from semi-final night below…
Dobey’s route to the semi-finals
Chris Dobey entered as the 15th seed, beating Alexander Merkx 3-1 in the second round. He then overcame Josh Rock with a 4-2 win in the third round.
That led to a 4-3 win over Kevin Doets in the Last 16 before he edged out Gerwyn Price with a 5-3 win in the quarter-finals.
Bunting’s call for support
Stephen Bunting is hoping to have the crowd on his side for his clash with Littler.
“Listen [to the crowd] in the first four sets you were unreal but you have got to do better,” Bunting said to Sky Sports.
“I thought to myself just try and refocus. Each and every game I have just focused on that opponent. The crowd, unbelievable again. Let’s go Bunting mental!”
Bunting’s route to the semi-finals
Stephen Bunting entered in the second round, where he beat Kai Gotthardt 3-1. He then hammered Madars Razma 4-1 to reach the Last 16.
He enjoyed another dominant night at that stage against Luke Woodhouse, smashing his compatriot 4-0. He then booked his date with Littler with a 5-2 win over Peter Wright in the quarter-finals.
Littler relishing semi-final clash
“I felt the best I have in this tournament so far, so hopefully I can regroup and come back again and it can be the same feeling. We all know the expectation and it’s very different from last year, but tonight I felt the greatest and hopefully I can regroup and feel like I did on that stage tomorrow (Thursday).”
Littler’s route to the semi-finals
Littler entered the tournament in the second round, where he claimed a 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle. He then saw off Ian White with a 4-1 win in the third round.
The Nuke encountered his toughest test in the Last 16, where he had to survive a deciding set to beat Ryan Joyce 4-3.
That set up a quarter-final tie against Nathan Aspinall, with the 17-year-old easing to a 4-3 win.
Tonight’s ties
The action gets underway at 7.30pm with Michael van Gerwen taking on Chris Dobey.
Following the conclusion of that match, Luke Littler will face Stephen Bunting.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to Mirror Sport’s live blog for the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship.
Mirror – Sport