Littler survives last-leg thriller as Dutch duo and big names book quarter-final spots in Amsterdam
Luke Littler kept his remarkable 2026 major clean-sweep bid alive the hard way on Saturday night, edging Nathan Aspinall 10-9 in a gripping last-leg decider to complete a dramatic second-round session at the World Series of Darts Finals.
The world number one was pushed all the way by a determined Aspinall at the AFAS Live, averaging 98.07 to the Stockport man’s 94.52. Littler reeled off the final two legs, including a decisive 12-darter against the throw, to book a quarter-final meeting with Jonny Clayton.
It was another high-stakes chapter in their rivalry and ensured the teenager remains on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of the majors this year.
Earlier in the evening, James Wade produced a high-quality display to see off home favourite Wessel Nijman 10-7 (Wade 101.40 average), while Gerwyn Price was clinical in a 10-5 win over Jim Long.
Jonny Clayton had opened the session by battling past Motomu Sakai 10-8 in a competitive affair.
The afternoon session belonged to the Dutch and the underdogs.
Dirk van Duijvenbode produced the performance of the day, stunning world number two Luke Humphries 10-9 with a superb 101+ average in front of a raucous home crowd. Gian van Veen also came through a high-standard contest, defeating Karel Sedláček 10-7 in a match packed with maximums.
Josh Rock overcame Ryan Searle 10-7 and Ross Smith was impressive in a 10-5 victory over Daryl Gurney.
The last eight is now set for Sunday afternoon, featuring a strong Dutch presence and several heavyweight clashes.
World Series of Darts Finals 2026
Quarter-final line-up (Sunday afternoon)
Ross Smith vs Josh Rock
Dirk van Duijvenbode vs Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price vs James Wade
Luke Littler vs Jonny Clayton
Semi-finals and final follow in the evening session.
Results – Saturday 19 September 2026
Second Round (best of 19 legs)
Afternoon session
Josh Rock 10–7 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 10–5 Daryl Gurney
Gian van Veen 10–7 Karel Sedláček
Dirk van Duijvenbode 10–9 Luke Humphries
Evening session
Jonny Clayton 10–8 Motomu Sakai
Gerwyn Price 10–5 Jim Long
James Wade 10–7 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 10–9 Nathan Aspinall
(Selected averages: Wade 101.40, van Duijvenbode 101.14, van Veen 101.52, Littler 98.07, Sedláček 103.30 in defeat)
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals continues on Sunday with a bumper Finals Day at the AFAS Live.
Inages PDC Europe/ Kelly Deckers
