Luke Littler is through to the semi-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts after a battling 16-12 victory in a high-quality clash with Josh Rock in Wolverhampton.
It means Littler’s title defence continues as he looks to defend a major for the first time in his career and join just Phil Taylor, Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen in having defended at the Grand Slam.
He also has his sights set on world No 1 which he will clinch from Luke Humphries if he claims a spot in the final on Sunday evening.
It was a breathless start from both players as they found 110 averages in the opening session, Rock taking a 3-2 lead into the break after clinching the last two legs on the spin, six perfect darts and a bullseye finish helping his cause in the fifth leg.
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Luke Littler showed his frustrations as he fell three legs down to Josh Rock in his Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final
The second session then went completely with the throw as both players found pinpoint precision, nothing separating the pair at 5-5 with both former youth world champions completely in the zone.
A decisive moment arrived in the 14th leg as Littler’s doubling eluded him so Rock pounced for the break of throw before defending his own darts to move 9-6 ahead.
However, it was not long until Littler did one better than Rock and found the double break to help him rattle off five legs on the spin to go from trailing by three to leading two. It was a spell that showed once again just why he is the one to beat over a longer format.
The 18-year-old increased the run to a staggering seven legs in a row before Rock stopped the rot and moved into double figures. From there, the battle once again ensued.
Breaks were traded under severe pressure with both young talents clinching clutch bull finishes, but a second break in a row for Littler moved him one away from another incredible victory.
It was in that moment Rock knew his race was ran with Littler taking out his favourite D10.
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The moment Luke Littler claimed his spot in the Grand Slam of Darts semi-final
“At 9-6 down I said stop chasing the game,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“I moved to the left a bit and was slowing my throw down. The timing of all my shots at the end of that game… I couldn’t ask for anything better.
“I was giving myself absolute hell. You don’t want to know what I was saying to myself.
“I came back on and won the next five and went in the lead.
“Josh averaged 89 two days ago and he was never going to do that tonight.
“We always bring the best out of each other. Another game and another win and I’m still unbeaten here.”
Noppert keeps semi-finals coming with win over Wenig
Danny Noppert is into his fourth major TV semi-final of 2025 and the Grand Slam semi-finals for the first time in his career after a 16-8 win over debutant Lukas Wenig.
Thanks to a hat-trick of 76 checkouts, with two on tops and one on D4, Noppert took a 3-2 lead into the early first break against the man trying to extend his dream debut.
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Danny Noppert’s 116 and 140 checkouts in his Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final against Lukas Wenig
Noppert then started to threaten to run away with the match as he paired his superior scoring with a 116 checkout for a hold then a brilliant 140 for a break.
However, Wenig made sure to strike back with a break of his own to bring the score to 6-4 and keep himself in the game.
A disastrous session then ensued for Wenig as his doubling completely fell apart and Noppert took advantage, ‘The Freeze’ winning all five legs on offer to move 11-4 up and put himself just five legs from the semi-finals.
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Lukas Wenig finds the 170 in his Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final against Danny Noppert
Wenig managed to find an electric few legs as he reeled in the Big Fish plus a 129 on the way to bringing the score to 15-8 but it was only a momentary reprieve as Noppert then got over the finish line on D4.
“I think I’m in the best form of my life and I’m really pleased with everything,” Noppert told Sky Sports.
“This game was not my best game of course.
“I’m really happy. I’m in the semi-final of the Grand Slam. I was dreaming about it all the time and I did it.
“What can I say? I’m really happy with my performance in the last couple of months. I’m really proud.”
What can we expect on Sunday? Another Luke vs Luke battle?
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Wayne Mardle praises the ‘relentlessness’ of Luke Littler and Humphries
Sky Sports’ Wayne Mardle…
“Luke and Luke make fewer mistakes than any other player on the planet. That’s why they are so hard to beat.
“That’s why they produce the numbers. That’s why over this sort of format they are so hard to beat.
“They are so hard to break down.”
Who will win the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts? Watch the semi-finals from 1pm and the final from 7pm throughout Sunday on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW
