Luke Littler booked his place in the World Matchplay semi-finals with a 16-7 victory over Josh Rock on Thursday night, a scoreline that epitomised the reigning champion’s dominance.
Rock came out firing, breaking Littler’s throw in thirteen darts to draw first blood. But the champion responded in kind, carrying on the standard he has produced since the very first leg of his title defence, and the pair headed into the first break on throw.
The ominous barrage Littler had thrown at Rock in the closing legs of that opening session didn’t phase the Northern Irishman, though. Rock kept his focus to recover a break of his own and the two went into the second intermission locked together at 5-5.
The contest turned decisively in the third mini-session. The defending champion produced a five-leg blitz that took a 5-5 deadlock to a 10-5 lead in the blink of an eye. And from there, Littler was merciless, taking six of the next eight legs to round off a 16-7 win.
He finished the match with a 109.57 average, 17 maximums and 53% success on the doubles, numbers that underline just how far of the rest of the field he remains this year.
Speaking afterwards, Littler was characteristically composed about his form.
“At the minute I feel very good, everything’s going to plan,” he said. “As long as I’m playing well, as long as I’m practicing, I’ll give it a really good go,” responding to questions of whether he can carry on this remarkable form.
Littler now faces a tough test in Dirk van Duijvenbode, who resisted a stunning comeback in the earlier quarter-final and Littler was clear about his gameplan:
“I think I’ve got to get in that lead and put him under pressure.”
On paper, this was an insurmountable task for Josh Rock, but where his win over Stephen Bunting in the previous round had been scratchy, this was a significant step up.
He matched Littler blow for blow through two mini-sessions and kept his head when others may have lost theirs. It was only when Littler found his very best gear in that third session that the gap finally opened up.
The quarter-final action carries on in Blackpool on Friday night, as Ross Smith and Gerwyn Price will battle it out to reach the final-four.
Whilst on the other side, Gian van Veen and James Wade will play out a repeat of their meeting at the same stage of the tournament last year.
2026 Betfred World Matchplay
Thursday July 23
Dirk van Duijvenbode 16-13 Gary Anderson
Luke Littler 16-7 Josh Rock
Friday July 24 (2000 BST *)
Quarter-Finals x2
Ross Smith v Gerwyn Price
Gian van Veen v James Wade
Best of 31 Legs
Images: Taylor Lanning / PDC
