Luke Littler struck the perfect leg en route to defeating Nathan Aspinall 11-8 in one of the greatest matches in Betfred World Matchplay history on Tuesday.
Littler averaged 113.68 – the second-highest average in the World Matchplay’s 32-year history – in dispatching 2023 champion Aspinall, producing perfection in the opening leg of the contest.
After taking a 1-0 lead in just nine darts, Littler threatened a second perfect leg in just four legs, wiring double 15 to narrowly miss out on a historic second nine-darter.
Despite Littler’s brilliance, Aspinall produced an exceptionally resilient display, levelling the contest at 7-7 despite averaging 12 points less than the defending champion.
The world number one then strung three legs straight before missing a match dart at 10-7 up, as Aspinall conjured a magical 170 checkout to stay alive – although Littler would win the subsequent leg to close out a historic match.
“It felt amazing. That was probably the best game me and Nathan have played against each other,” considered Littler, who had previously hit a nine-darter against Aspinall in the opening leg of their clash in the 2024 Bahrain Darts Masters.
“I’ve seen the averages there, 113 for me, 101 for Nathan. I thought Nathan’s average was going to be a bit better!
“As soon as I missed double five [for the match], I knew he was going to hit the 170.
“When I was practising backstage I was playing okay. But the nine-darter just happened!
“I’m just glad to take part in such an amazing game.”
Littler recorded just six trebleless visits and 14 180s across the 19-leg contest, while the match’s 22 maximums is the most ever in a last 16 match at the World Matchplay.
The defending champion also averaged north of 109 in his round one triumph over Niko Springer, and he hopes to become just the fourth player to retain the Phil Taylor Trophy.
“That’s two unbelievable performances from myself,” assessed Littler, who will face Josh Rock in a rematch of their remarkable contest last year in the quarter-finals.
“Niko [Springer] was right behind me until the second break, and Nathan never gives up, he’s probably the best player to do that on tour.
“I never say to myself it’s over; you’re playing Nathan Aspinall, he’s one of the best players to come back at you.
“You can never put the trophy in someone’s hands in round one, never mind round two.
“That was a proper test and we can look forward to whenever I’m playing.”
Littler will face Rock on Thursday evening, after the Northern Irish number one saw past an off-colour Stephen Bunting 11-6.
Rock hit a 106 checkout to lead 6-3 after a slow start, before catching alight to see off the contest with relative ease, pinning a magnificent 140 checkout in the final leg.
“That was probably one of the toughest games of my life,” reflected an emotional Rock, who made it through to the quarter-finals for a second consecutive year.
“Stephen is one of my best friends on the tour, and I had to change my mindset.
“I had to change something to try and get through this game. It was so difficult.
“I’m going to give it my all against Luke [Littler], because I’m here to win this title.”
Elsewhere, Dirk van Duijvenbode dumped out Michael van Gerwen after a thrilling tie-break contest which ended 14-12. After leading 8-4, Van Duijvenbode was forced to weather the storm from the three-time World Matchplay champion, who took out an 11-darter followed by a 148 finish to trail by a sole leg.
Nevertheless, despite being taken to a tie-break, Van Duijvenbode broke with an 11-darter to lead 13-12, before sealing the match to reach the quarter-finals for just the second time.
“In the end, to just get over the line is happy days,” admitted Van Duijvenbode, who secured his second tie-break win in two matches after defeating Chris Dobey 13-11 in round one.
“Michael came back because I started shaking. Completely afraid like a little child crying for his mum, and I’m just happy in the end that I won it.”
Van Duijvenbode will play Gary Anderson in the quarter-finals, hoping to reach the last four for the first time in his career at the Winter Gardens.
“I love playing Gary,” continued Van Duijvenbode. “I love the guy. Sometimes he is too good, but sometimes I beat him!“Most of the time we play great games, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Anderson, meanwhile, dispatched fellow darting veteran Jonny Clayton 11-7 to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2020.Despite Clayton leading 4-1 after a trademark 121 checkout, Anderson took eight of the next 10 legs to create a three-leg buffer, before closing out the contest with a 12-dart leg.
“I’m a big fan of Jonny. He’s a gentleman and a cracking, cracking darts player,” said Anderson, after the pair faced off for the first time in over a year.
“I was expecting Jonny to do what he does – his 180s and 161s, but we dragged it out a bit there!“I’ll keep going, but it just proves the point that the old boys aren’t finished yet.”
Round two of the Betfred World Matchplay continues on Wednesday evening, with Dutch duo Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman set to collide in one of the standout ties of the last 16.
Scottish hero Cameron Menzies takes on Ross Smith, while former World Champions Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross will lock horns.
Finally, 2007 World Matchplay winner James Wade will close out the evening’s action against World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle.
The Betfred World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN, CANAL+ and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
.2026 Betfred World Matchplay
Tuesday July 21
Round Two x4
Gary Anderson 11-7 Jonny Clayton
Dirk van Duijvenbode 14-12 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Littler 11-8 Nathan Aspinall
Josh Rock 11-6 Stephen Bunting
Wednesday July 22 (1900 BST)
Round Two x4
Cameron Menzies v Ross Smith
Gian van Veen v Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price v Rob Cross
James Wade v Ryan Searle
Best of 21 legs
Thursday July 23 (2000 BST *)
Quarter-Finals x2
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Gary Anderson
Luke Littler v Josh Rock
Best of 31 Legs*
For the evenings session on July 23-26, Sky Sports will be on air from 1930 BST, with play commencing from approximately 2005 BST.
ENDS
Images: Taylor Lanning / PDC
