Luke Littler has made darts history, becoming the youngest ever finalist at the World Championship by beating Rob Cross in the semi-finals.
Littler saw off 2018 champion Cross 6-2 in a stunning performance of almost unbelievable quality at Alexandra Palace. He averaged a staggering 106 on Tuesday night to book his place in Wednesday's final.
The 16-year-old lost the opening set but never looked back, dominating from there on, checking out 149, 142 and 132 for stand-out moments. He finished with sixteen 180s and will play the winner of Luke Humphries vs Scott Williams in the final.
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Thanks for following along. What a night of darts at Ally Pally thanks to Luke Littler.
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We'll be back tomorrow evening for the final. Can the 16-year-old complete the job?
So, Luke Littler has left the stage and the second semi-final has begun.
It is Scott Williams against Luke Humphries at Ally Pally for the chance to play Littler in the final tomorrow evening.
Favourite Humphries has just taken the opening set 3-2.
What were you doing at the age of 16? Luke Littler has just landed a guaranteed pay cheque of £200,000 by reaching the World Championship final.
If he wins the final tomorrow evening he'll take home £500,000.
(PA)What has propelled Luke Littler to the World Championship final at the age of 16? Well, apart from hours of practice, it's about his diet.
"I'll just keep doing what I've been doing," he told Sky Sports. "In the morning I'll go for my ham and cheese omelette, then later a pizza and then practice on the board. I'll be watching the other semi. I'm sure it will be another cracking game."
Wayne Mardle has given his reaction to Luke Littler's stunning win.
"He has got the darting world at his feet," Mardle said on Sky Sports. "What a run, what a talent. The world is watching and he continues to perform at beyond the highest level - it's magnificent. He averaged 106 in the biggest match of his life. We have witnessed something utterly mind-boggling."
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Luke Littler of England celebrates beating Rob Cross (Tom Dulat/Getty Images)Relive the winning moment for the 16-year-old. Just incredible.
LUKE LITTLER IS IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL!!!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 2, 2024
Luke Littler has beaten Rob Cross 6-2!
A 106.05 average from the 16-year-old sensation!
https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | SF pic.twitter.com/1x90nLF1oL
Luke Littler is in the World Championship final. The 16-year-old has overcome the 2018 champion Rob Cross 6-2 at Ally Pally.
And he has done it in unbelievable style, checking out double 10 to seal it. Read Mirror Sport's report here.
Rob Cross is hanging in there for dear life. He checks out double 18 to take it to a fifth leg in the eighth set.
Luke Littler takes out double eight at the first time of asking to move within one leg of the World Championship final.
Rob Cross hits double 18 to stop the rot again after Luke Littler misses his chance of checking out 97.
It's 1-1 in the eighth set. Ridiculous darts.
Unreal. Bullseye. Bullseye. Double 16. Easy peasy.
Wayne Mardle on commentary declares him the best player in the world. Hard to argue right now.
THE CHAMPAGNE SHOT FROM LITTLER!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 2, 2024
Luke Littler raises the roof with a 132 checkout!
He's now just two legs away from the final!
https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | SF pic.twitter.com/emteVcAfTC
Just look at how comfortable he is. But he will know that Rob Cross came from 4-0 down in the last round to win 5-4. Job not done yet.
Luke Littler is ONE set away from a spot in the World Final! pic.twitter.com/hZvObsCu18
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2024
Luke Littler checks out 50 after another huge leg of scoring to take himself one set away from the World Championship final.
He is simply in the groove and running away with it against Rob Cross, who doesn't have an answer right now.
Luke Littler is flying at Ally Pally (Tom Dulat/Getty Images)Luke Littler is scoring so well that he can afford to miss doubles and then split to win.
He checks out 36 with a 16 and a double 10.
Rob Cross is still on 287 as Luke Littler hits double 10 to level things up in the seventh set.
He absolutely flies through legs.
Luke Littler has a pop at bullseye for the leg, but he can't squeeze it in and Rob Cross takes the leg.
Rob Cross misses darts at double 16 and double eight, leaving Luke Littler three goes at double 10.
The 16-year-old finds it with his second dart to take a 4-2 lead. Stunning stuff.
LITTLER DOUBLES HIS LEAD!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 2, 2024
Luke Littler pins double ten to regain his two-set cushion!
Littler leads Rob Cross 4-2 in a race to 6!
https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | SF pic.twitter.com/BWWdKRteyj
Rob Cross is miles back and Luke Littler checks out with ease to take the lead again in the sixth set.
Luke Littler misses two darts at double top and Rob Cross shows him how its done, pinning it with one go to level things.
Luke Littler back to business, checking out on double tops for a 13-dart leg.
Luke Littler misses a chance to check out 74, leaving Rob Cross a huge chance, needing 60 to take the set.
He makes no mistake, using two darts to get back in the match. Fair play to the former champion, who is holding his nerve to stay in the match.
GAME ON
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2024
Rob Cross gets one back to make it 3-2! pic.twitter.com/EqzNmjTEtL
Luke Littler leaves himself double 16, but he misses twice and one dart at double eight to leave Rob Cross a chance.
Cross misses one at double 16 and one at double eight and Littler only needs one more dart at double eight to level things up.
Rob Cross nearly checks out with two treble 18s and a double 18, but gets it done on his next go anyway to take the lead in the fifth set.
Luke Littler misses two darts at double eight and Rob Cross makes him pay, hitting double 15 to level things up with a much-needed check out.
He's still in the match.
Two more 180s from Luke Littler, to move him onto 11 for the match. He checks out double eight to take the opening leg of the fifth set.
He's taken nine of the last 12 legs... ridiculous. Reminder: he's playing the 2018 champion and world No8.
Incredible. Rob Cross hit back to back 180s in that leg and he still lost.
Luke Littler is irrepressible at the moment and he takes a 3-1 lead in sets. He is halfway to the final.
AN INSANE LEG OF DARTS!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 2, 2024
Rob Cross on a nine-darter and still loses the leg!
Luke Littler hits an 11-darter to open up a 3-1 lead!
https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | SF pic.twitter.com/qem8A9XkYn
Rob Cross misses the first treble 19...
Back to back 180s from Rob Cross...
Rob Cross takes out 50 with a single 18 and double 16 to stay in the set.
WOW. Luke Littler checks out 149! Unbelievable stuff from the 16-year-old. Treble 19, treble 20, double 16.
