Luke Littler reaches World Darts Championship semi final - Live reaction

Did the Ally Pally wasp strike again?

There wasn't many moments of discomfort for Littler, but he did appear to suffer some kind of issue with his throwing arms as the game moved into its latter stages.

Commentator John Part referenced it during the coverage as he grabbed the affected area. It didn't concern him too much as he strolled to victory, but it did appear he may have been the latest victim of the infamous Ally Pally wasp.

After his win, he said: "Was I stung by a wasp? I don’t know.

"I saw it flying around. I had to focus and get over the line."

Ross Smith was stung THREE times in a match earlier this year, while other players have had encounters in previous years.

A nice Littler earner

He'd already guaranteed himself a whopping payout for reaching the quarter final. But Littler has now doubled his winnings.

Alright work, if you can get it I suppose!

What else is to come tonight?

Well, firstly a lie down! What an afternoon session that was. Luke Littler and Rob Cross are safely in the final four, but who will join them?

Michael van Gerwen is the overwhelming favourite against the 'other' surpise package Scott Williams. And in the final quarter it's Luke Humphries - the pre tournament favourite - taking on Dave Chisnall.

Humphries arrived at Ally Pally in stunning form, but has struggled through the tournament, including a nervy, dramatic final-set win over Joe Cullen on Saturday.

Death fears for Emmerdale's Sarah as teen rushed to A&E after exposing secret

He is the favourite, but Chisnall has the wood over Humphries somewhat, beating him in five of their last six matches against one another.

Cross says it's time for business

“Everyone loves an underdog story,” he said. “As the public and people looking at the game, everyone loves an underdog story.
“I am not being rude, I am on his side, I love an underdog story.

“It took a bit of pressure off me winning it first time as well.

“He’s fantastic and he deserves all the luck in the world, he is a nice young boy. Tomorrow we play darts, though, and I have to go down to business.”

Rob Cross made history as he beat Chris Dobey (Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Can he go all the way?

Few would bet against it now. He'll still need to beat at least one more former world champion and, most likely, MVG in the final. But he's proven he belongs at this level.

(PA)

Cross a big fan of Littler

Rob Cross knows a thing or two about a fairytale run under the Ally Pally lights and he insisted Littler is a breath of fresh air for the sport.

“Make no mistake, Luke is going to be superb. I wouldn’t like to put too much pressure on him. He will have the weight on him – but if he doesn’t look, he won’t feel it like me in my first year here," Cross said.

“That boy doesn’t need any advice – but what I would say is that you must follow your path, wherever that leads you. You cannot fight fate. It will happen, it’s written in the stars. Look at him, 16 years old... wow.

“He's a breath of fresh air and he takes it all in his stride. The way he came out and did a job on Christian, and then found a way to beat Andrew when the going got tough, was fantastic. I think he is going to be great for the game."

Speaking after he beat Dobey, Cross insisted his young opponent would be the favourite.

The winning moment

This was as an impressive a display as you could ever wish to see. I know it's mentioned every 3.5 seconds, but it is astonishing that he's just 16.

LITTLER IS INTO THE LAST FOUR!!

It's another RIDICULOUS display from Luke Litter as he averages 101.93 in a demolition of Brendan Dolan!

The 16-year-old STORMS into the Semi-Finals at Alexandra Palace...

https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/19q8vtjDq8

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024

John Part on Luke Littler's triumph

“He was great all the way.

“He knows what he’ doing. He said it. I’ve said it. He’s intelligent, he’s not new. He’s not new to darts. He’s young. He’s been playing a long time. He knows darts inside out.

“You might look at an MVG play or a Gerwyn Price and you might expect that kind of performance. And that’s that. But when it’s coming from out of left-field seemingly, it’s distracting, it’s alarming and makes you nervous in situations you normally wouldn’t be.”

(DAVID CLIFF/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Littler on Rob Cross

“He was unbelievable on debut and so am I. I can’t wait to play him.”

(PA)

Littler reacts

"It's gone well today., another tonne-plus average. I've got a good chance. Now I'm dreaming. I'm two matches away. I'm dreaming of winning the title."

LITTLER WINS

Running out of words for this 16-YEAR OLD. He beats Brendan Dolan 5-1 to move into the semi finals. Wow

Littler 4-1 Dolan (2-0)

He's one away. This is remarkable.

Littler 4-1 Dolan (1-0)

Maybe not. Any momentum Dolan may have gained with winning the fourth set has already been lost with Littler breaking the throw after a stunning 140 checkout. He's two legs away.

The start of the comeback for Dolan?

This was an astonishing moment. It may end up being little more than a consolation. But when he needed something special he found it.

Surely not another comeback?

DOLAN GETS A SET BACK!

The start of another comeback?

https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/Q0NkMjH4IP

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024

Littler 4-1 Dolan

That is a stunning 118 checkout from Dolan to claim his first set and keep the match alive.

Littler 4-0 Dolan (1-2)

Littler, though, hits back with double eight checkout to make it 2-1 after Dolan misses a chance to claim the set when his second dart hits the first.

Littler 4-0 Dolan (0-2)

And Dolan is now 2-0 up in the set. Could we see another stunning comeback today?

Littler 4-0 Dolan (0-1)

That was a much better performance from Dolan, who throws six perfect darts to start the leg, and takes a 25 checkout.

Littler 4-0 Dolan

Littler nails a 60 checkout to make it 4-0 and he is now just one set away from a spot in the semi-finals.

Littler 3-0 Dolan (2-1)

This is just magnificent darts from the 16-year-old who now takes the lead in the fourth set with a doule 10 checkout.

Littler 3-0 Dolan (1-1)

However, Littler immediately responds and levels things up with a double 18 checkout.

Littler 3-0 Dolan (0-1)

Dolan, though, hits back with a brilliant 114 checkout and gets a nod of approval from his opponent.

Littler 3-0 Dolan

It is 3-0 now to Littler and some frustration is beginning to show now for Dolan.

Littler 2-0 Dolan (2-2)

That is sensational darts from Littler, who nails a 111 check out after Dolan came incredibly close to claiming the set.

Littler 2-0 Dolan (1-2)

Having lost seven legs in a row, Dolan now wins two back-to-back in impressive fashion to take the lead in the second set.

Littler 2-0 Dolan (1-1)

Littler hits another 180, the fifth of the match, but Dolan responds after a few missed shots from the youngster to draw level with a bullseye check out.

Littler 2-0 Dolan (1-0)

Littler really is dominating this match now as he nails a double ten check out at the third attempt to take a 1-0 lead in the third set.

Littler is in top form

The teenager is averaging 106.27 and Dolan has not won a leg since claiming the first two.

Littler 2-0 Dolan

Littler is settling into this game really well now as he claims the first leg with a nerveless 100 checkout. And there is no stopping the 16-year-old as he wins the next two legs in similarly dominant fashion to take a two set lead.

Littler 1-0 Dolan

Dolan takes an early 2-0 lead with two confident checkouts, but Littler hits back in impressive fashion to claim the third leg.

Dolan nails the first 180 of the match, but Littler hits an impressive 70 checkout to draw level before starting the fifth leg with a 180 of his own. And the teenager promptly claims the first set to take an important 1-0 lead in the match.