Watch all the most effective bits from Luke Littler’s very good efficiency over the doyen of Dutch darts Raymond van Barneveld
Watch all the most effective bits from Luke Littler’s very good efficiency over the doyen of Dutch darts Raymond van Barneveld
Teenager Luke Littler crushed his darting idol Raymond van Barneveld 4-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, the place he’ll play Brendan Dolan.
The 16-year-old averaged 105.01, hit 9 180s to report a sensational victory over five-time World Champion, Van Barneveld.
“Unbelievable! My average has shown it, my double percentage has shown it – I don’t know what to say!”, Littler, who was born 20 days after Van Barneveld’s epic 2007 World Championship triumph, advised Sky Sports.
“He (Van Barneveld) said ‘you can go all the way, I hope you can go all the way’. I said ‘thank you’ – he’s a true gentleman and I respect Raymond.”
“I fancy myself [to win the whole thing], I do fancy myself! Let’s just focus on Brendan [Dolan].”
World Darts Championship: Saturday Evening Results
| Brendan Dolan | 4-3 | Gary Anderson |
| Raymond van Barneveld | 1-4 | Luke Littler |
| Luke Humphries | 4-3 | Joe Cullen |
Littler is blown away after beating his idol Van Barneveld after which reveals what he’ll do now to put together for the quarter finals
In two of the three units, that went to a deciding leg, Littler averaged over 110.
There have been solely 19 ton-plus set averages in the entire match.
Littler booked his place into the quarter finals in model. The 16-year-old declined ‘The Big Fish’ earlier than returning for double 15 to knock out Van Barneveld
‘The Nuke’ confirmed no indicators of nerves as he received a rip-roaring first set 3-1 with a 103.8 common and three/4 on the doubles.
The World Youth Champion was quickly in dreamland after easing by way of the second set to strengthen his grip on the match for the lack of simply two legs.
Littler makes a dominant begin in opposition to Van Barneveld by successful the primary two units in model
Van Barneveld squandered two set darts within the subsequent as Littler pounced to make it three with out reply, averaging 110.68 within the set and 53 per cent on the doubles.
‘Barney’ held agency on double 6 to get off the mark within the fourth set and preserve his hopes alive, however the teen star from Warrington stormed by way of to arrange a gathering with Brendan Dolan by successful the deciding leg of the fifth set with a nerveless 130 arrange shot earlier than returning for double 15.
Littler hits tops, tops for a magical ton checkout in opposition to Van Barneveld
“It’s incredible beating one of my idols on the biggest stage of all, I still can’t believe it,” stated Littler, who’s now simply three matches away from certainly one of sport’s biggest triumphs. “I think I am daring to dream now, I have seen the draw.
“I’m so younger, solely 16 and I’ve acquired nothing to worry, I’ve acquired nobody to worry, my sport might be higher than anybody’s on the day and I’ve proven it there in opposition to one of many biggest to have graced that stage.
“With performances like that I can go all the way.
“I’ve pictured myself successful it. I take a look at the draw and see Brendan subsequent after which Chris Dobey in opposition to Rob Cross within the different quarter.
“I fancy myself. I do fancy myself.”
Dolan made it by way of to the quarter finals following a hard-fought victory over Anderson
Dolan adopted up his upset win over Gerwyn Price by pulling off one other well-known scalp by knocking out two-time world champion Gary Anderson 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in his profession.
After falling 2-0 down, ‘The Flying Scotsman’ turned the match on its head to go in entrance for the primary time however fellow veteran Dolan fired in 14, 14 and 15 dart legs to ship a dramatic contest all the best way to a ultimate set.
But Anderson crumbled underneath strain within the fourth leg of the deciding set, failing with 4 darts at double to enable Dolan to full a shocking upset on double 3.
Dolan took out 102 utilizing the bullseye throughout his sensational win
“That was some game,” stated Dolan. “I was wondering what was wrong with Gary but then he kicked into gear and the next thing he’s ahead of me. I’m wondering ‘don’t let this go, make him win it’ – it was in the lap of the gods.”
Watch the second Humphries received a loopy sudden-death leg to edge Cullen
World No 3 Luke Humphries recovered from two units down and two legs down within the subsequent tie-break set to someway shut out a wide ranging 4-3 victory over Joe Cullen in sudden-death thanks to a 12-dart leg.
‘Cool Hand’ required 10 match-darts to win a seven-set and 36-leg thriller.
“I just think that’s one of the best games I’ve been part of. I feel sorry for Joe,” stated three-time main champion Humphries. “I never give up and that somehow allows me to keep going. I’ve survived again.”
Humphries dissects the insane sudden-death leg as he sealed his spot within the quarter-finals
World Darts Championship: Saturday Afternoon Results
| Scott Williams | 4-1 | Damon Heta |
| Daryl Gurney | 2-4 | Dave Chisnall |
| Rob Cross | 4-0 | Jonny Clayton |
A glance again the most effective of the motion from the night session of Day 13 of the World Darts Championship
The afternoon session acquired underneath manner with a medical efficiency by Scott Williams to e-book his spot within the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win over Damon Heta.
Scott Williams reeled in ‘The Big Fish’ after Damon Heta selected an alternate route of their conflict
Williams produced some ruthless ending, whereas Heta struggled on the doubles, a 170 out the spotlight of proceedings.
Williams will now face one of many match favourites Michael van Gerwen on New Year’s Day.
Chisnall says that he hasn’t had any practise for months as a result of he is been getting his entrance room redecorated
Perennial TV finalist Dave Chisnall held his nerve to grind out a 4-2 win over Daryl Gurney.
Chisnall took a 2-0 lead within the tie however Gurney fought again nicely, 130 and 151 checkouts enabling him to draw parity.
However, ‘Chizzy’ rallied and 9 180s and a 99 common secured his spot within the final 16.
Gurney dazzled with very good 130 and 151 checkouts throughout his defeat to Chisnall
The session concluded with a ruthless efficiency from Rob Cross as he whitewashed ‘The Ferret’ Jonny Clayton 4-0.
The 2018 champion acquired off to an outstanding begin as he took a 3-0 lead, with a shocking 140 checkout setting the tone.
Cross missed 5 match darts as Clayton levelled at 2-2 within the fourth set, however ‘Voltage’ held his nerve to seal a medical win to arrange a mouth-watering conflict in opposition to ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey.
Cross hit this medical 140 checkout in opposition to Clayton
Former World Champion Cross says he wanted a brand new pair of pants after lacking six match darts in opposition to Clayton
What’s taking place on New Year’s Day on the World Darts Championship?
Michael van Gerwen is again in motion on New Year’s Day on the World Darts Championship with semi-final spots on the road
Rob Cross, the 2018 champion, faces Chris Dobey earlier than teenage sensation Luke Littler takes on Brendan Dolan within the afternoon session.
Live World Darts Championship
January 1, 2024, 12:30pm
Live on 
World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Afternoon Fixtures
| Chris Dobey | vs | Rob Cross |
| Luke Littler | vs | Brendan Dolan |
In the night, three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen will tackle ‘Shaggy’ Scott Williams, with Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall dealing with ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Humphries.
The semi-finals and ultimate happen from January 2-3.
Live World Darts Championship
January 1, 2024, 7:00pm
Live on
World Darts Championship: New Year’s Day Evening Fixtures
| Michael van Gerwen | vs | Scott Williams |
| Luke Humphries | vs | Dave Chisnall |
The sport’s largest occasion sees the remaining gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all of the motion stay on our devoted Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship all the best way till the ultimate on January 3, 2024 – stay on Sky Sports Darts. NOW Sports Month Membership: £21 a month for six months
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