The Winter Gardens in Blackpool witnessed a darts spectacle for the ages as Luke Littler, the reigning World Matchplay champion and world number one, produced a breathtaking performance to overcome his compatriot Nathan Aspinall with an 11-8 victory. The clash was not merely a win for Littler, but a masterclass punctuated by a flawless nine-dart finish in the very first leg, a feat that immediately sent the iconic venue into a frenzy. This remarkable achievement marked the second time in their careers that Littler has achieved perfection against Aspinall in the opening leg of a major tournament, a testament to the young phenom’s ability to deliver under pressure, having previously achieved the same at the Bahrain Darts Masters in early 2024.
Littler’s statistical output from this encounter was nothing short of extraordinary. He recorded a staggering average of 113.68, a figure that places him second on the all-time list for the highest average ever recorded at the World Matchplay. Only the legendary Phil Taylor, with his monumental 114.99 average in 2010, stands above him. Complementing this exceptional scoring was an impressive tally of 14 maximums (180s) throughout the match, showcasing his relentless attacking prowess.
The match began with an explosive statement of intent from Littler. In the opening leg, he meticulously laid the foundation for his nine-darter, firing in two consecutive 180s before calmly dispatching treble 20, treble 17, and double 15. The Winter Gardens crowd erupted, acknowledging the sheer brilliance of the moment. This electrifying start was followed by a swift 14-dart leg, extending his early advantage. The possibility of a second nine-darter in quick succession loomed large in the fourth leg, but a cruel twist of fate saw Littler’s final dart narrowly miss double 15, denying him an unprecedented achievement. Aspinall, ever the showman, humorously offered his darts to the crowd in jest, acknowledging the almost unattainable standard being set.
Despite Littler’s blistering opening salvo, averaging an astonishing 117 after the first session and a near-perfect leg, Aspinall demonstrated his renowned resilience. He managed to hold his own throw, ensuring that the deficit at the first break was a manageable one leg. The second session continued in a similar vein, with both players holding their respective services. This pattern saw Littler extend his lead to 6-4 by the second interval, a scoreline that hinted at a compelling contest ahead.
The momentum appeared to swing decisively in Littler’s favour as he secured three consecutive legs, including two crucial breaks of throw, to establish a commanding 10-7 lead. It seemed as though the young prodigy was on the cusp of sealing his victory. However, in true ‘Big Fish’ fashion, Nathan Aspinall refused to yield. Under immense pressure, he produced a moment of brilliance to reel in the deficit, hitting back to narrow the gap to 10-8. This resurgence underscored Aspinall’s reputation as a player who thrives in high-stakes situations.
The tension in the arena was palpable as the match entered its crucial final stages. Despite Aspinall’s spirited fightback, Littler remained composed. In the decisive 19th leg, he held his nerve and closed out the match with a clinical 52 finish on double top, securing his passage to the quarter-finals in a truly captivating encounter.
Littler Reflects on "The Best Game Ever Played"
Following the match, a jubilant Luke Littler shared his thoughts with Sky Sports, expressing his elation at the hard-fought victory. "It felt amazing," Littler stated. "Probably the best game me and Nathan have played against each other." He highlighted the remarkable statistical battle, noting, "I just saw the averages there, 113 for me, 101 for Nathan." Littler also pointed to his own consistency, remarking on the rarity of his treble-less visits: "Six trebleless visits in 21 legs shows how well I did play."
Reflecting on the near-miss nine-darter, Littler acknowledged the pressure but remained pragmatic. "Nathan gave it his all, and when I missed D5 I knew the 170 was going! But I’m just glad to win. He’ll never give up." He also commented on the crowd’s reaction to his opening nine-darter, noting the shift from initial booing to fervent support: "The nine-darter just happened, these guys were booing me at the beginning and then they started cheering me on!" Littler emphasized his focus on the tournament, adding, "That’s two unbelievable performances from myself here. I just have to focus." He concluded by looking ahead to potential future encounters, expressing his desire to face Luke Humphries in a final, stating, "You can never put the trophy in someone’s hands after round one or round two. I wanted Luke Humphries to win and us to meet in another final."
Quarter-Final Showdown with Josh Rock
Luke Littler’s next challenge will be against Josh Rock, who emerged victorious from a closely contested match against Stephen Bunting, winning 11-6. While Rock secured his place in the last eight, the match was not a display of peak performance from either player, with both averaging in the lower 70s during the opening stages. Rock, visibly frustrated by his own showing, managed to string together four consecutive legs to build a crucial lead, eventually closing out the contest with a sensational 140 checkout. This victory sets up a rematch with Littler, who famously defeated Rock in a thrilling 17-14 semi-final at the same venue in 2015.
Michael van Gerwen Exits in Dramatic Fashion, Gary Anderson Continues Strong Run
In a significant upset, fourth seed Michael van Gerwen was eliminated from the World Matchplay in a nail-biting tie-break that concluded 14-12 in favour of his Dutch compatriot, Dirk van Duijvenbode. This defeat has considerable implications for Van Gerwen’s world ranking, provisionally dropping him to world number six. Having entered the tournament defending a substantial £100,000 in prize money, this early exit means he will relinquish his world number four ranking.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, characterized by a tense start before Van Duijvenbode seized the initiative. A solid 125 checkout followed by a crucial break of throw propelled him to a 4-3 lead, which he extended with a second break to establish a commanding 8-4 advantage. Despite visibly battling a shoulder issue throughout the contest, Van Gerwen demonstrated his championship pedigree by staging a remarkable comeback. He fired in a stunning triple bullseye finish and secured a vital break of throw at a critical juncture, levelling the scores at 10-10.
As the match entered the tie-break, where a two-leg advantage is required to secure victory, Van Duijvenbode once again found another gear. He produced an exceptional 11-dart leg, which included six perfect darts, to break throw and move to a 13-12 lead. With the match on his dartboard, and after Van Gerwen had missed opportunities to extend the contest, Van Duijvenbode eventually found double eight on his seventh match dart, unleashing a roar of triumph over his compatriot.
Van Duijvenbode will now face Gary Anderson in the quarter-finals. The 2018 World Matchplay champion, Anderson, secured his place in the last eight with an 11-7 victory over Welshman Jonny Clayton. This marks Anderson’s first quarter-final appearance at the event in six years. The match did not start favourably for the "Flying Scotsman," as Clayton established an early 4-1 lead, underpinned by impressive checkouts of 105 and 121. However, Anderson responded emphatically, winning five consecutive legs to seize control of the match. A pivotal break of throw in the 15th leg extended his lead to 9-6, and he subsequently held his nerve to seal his quarter-final berth with a checkout on double eight.
Tuesday’s World Matchplay Results
- Jonny Clayton 7-11 Gary Anderson
- Michael van Gerwen 12-14 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Luke Littler 11-8 Nathan Aspinall
- Josh Rock 11-6 Stephen Bunting
Wednesday’s World Matchplay Fixtures
The second round action continues on Wednesday, with four more high-stakes matches scheduled. Cameron Menzies, fresh from a significant victory over world number two Luke Humphries, will face Ross Smith. Gerwyn Price, a former world champion, will go head-to-head with Rob Cross, another former world champion. In a keenly anticipated all-Dutch clash, world number three Gian van Veen will take on the in-form Wessel Nijman. The evening’s play will conclude with James Wade facing Ryan Searle.
The World Matchplay Darts tournament continues to deliver thrilling encounters, with Luke Littler establishing himself as a formidable contender to defend his title. All the action is being broadcast live on Sky Sports, and fans can stream the tournament and other top sporting events via NOW.
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