Luke Littler moved a step closer to his first majors clean sweep in a year with a hard-fought victory over Nathan Aspinall in Amsterdam.
Littler, the 2024 champion who was beaten 11-7 by Michael van Gerwen in last year’s final, defeated Aspinall 10-9 in the second round of the World Series of Darts finals, taking the last two legs of a darts contest and sealing victory with a 12-dart break.
After the win in the Dutch capital, Littler said: “Nathan pushed me all the way tonight; I didn’t feel confident in the first two sessions, but I managed to go 6-6 and I was really good in the last session.
“When I came here two years ago, Ross Smith missed the darts to beat me and then I went on to win the title, but I know it will be a good test against Jonny (Clayton) tomorrow (Sunday).
“I’m glad the series is still going on, but it’s going to be very difficult.”
Earlier on Saturday, Gerwyn Price defeated Jim Long 10-5 and James Wade defeated Wessel Nijman 10-7.
Luke Humphries crashed out with a 10-9 loss to Dirk van Duijvenbode in the afternoon session, while Josh Rock secured a 10-7 win over Ryan Searle and Ross Smith beat Daryl Gurney 10-5.
An emotional Van Duijvenbode, who was joined by young son Levi on stage after the match, said: “Having my baby here is the best thing in my life.
“I won this match because he was here. When you play against the world number two, you’re always nervous.
Dirk van Duijvenbode celebrates his victory over Luke Humphries (Credit: Kelly Deckers/PDC)
“When I looked up at him, he was so happy every time. It made me so relaxed. In the end that’s why I won.”
Gian van Veen prevailed 10-7 against Karel Sedlacek and now faces Van Duijvenbode in an all-Dutch quarter-final, while Jonny Clayton beat Motomu Sakai 10-8 to set up his showdown with Littler.
The semi-finals and finals will take place from 18:00 on Sunday, after the quarter-finals in the afternoon.
Saturday, September 19
Afternoon session
Second Round
Josh Rock 10-7 Ryan Searle
Daryl Gurney 5-10 Ross Smith
Gian van Veen 10-7 Karel Sedlacek
Luke Humphries 9-10 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Evening Session
Second Round
Jonny Clayton 10-8 Motomu Sakai
Gerwyn Price 10-5 Jim Long
James Wade 10-7 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 10-9 Nathan Aspinall
Sunday, September 20
Afternoon session – From 12:00 p.m
The quarterfinals
Ross Smith vs Josh Rock
Dirk van Duijvenbode vs Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price vs James Wade
Luke Littler vs Jonny Clayton
Evening Session – From 6:00 p.m
semifinals
ultimate
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