Luke Littler was at his brilliant best in a 17-5 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode to set up a World Matchplay Darts final against Gerwyn Price at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Littler’s statistics continued to astound, He came through the contest with a 110.88 average, 16 180s, and a 50 per cent success rate on the doubles.
Those figures add to an over 113 average and nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall, plus 109 averages against Niko Springer and then Josh Rock in the quarter-finals.
Not only that, Littler has now hit £3m in prize money and there is a £2m gap between himself and Luke Humphries as world No 2.
Littler is looking to become the first player in a decade to go back-to-back in Blackpool, Michael van Gerwen last achieving the feat in 2016.
A Matchplay win is also key to his target of completing a clean sweep of trophies in 2026. He already holds the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters. He is also defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals.
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Gerwyn Price and Gian van Veen battle it out during their semi-final match at the World Matchplay
Meanwhile, the ‘Iceman’ Price, who has never lifted the Phil Taylor trophy, is back in the Blackpool final for the first time since 2022 when he was defeated 18-14 by Michael van Gerwen.
It is also his first TV ranking final in three years.
More to follow…
What’s next?
Sunday afternoon sees the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay, live from 1pm on Sky Sports Action, with Lisa Ashton returning as defending champion and Beau Greaves looking to win the event for a third time in four years.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay final takes place later that evening, with Luke Littler facing Gerwyn Price in a best-of-35-leg contest.
Who will win this year’s World Matchplay Darts? Live coverage begins on Sunday from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event, with the final getting under way around 8.15pm. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.
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