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Luke Littler v Nathan Aspinall live stream | World Darts Championship 2024/25 Quarter-Final Preview

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Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting live stream | World Darts Championship 2024/25 Semi-Final Preview

Littler, Van Gerwen, Dobey and Bunting book World Darts Championship semi-final spots

Jamie Shaw in World Darts Championship 02 Jan 2025

Van Gerwen celebrates against Rydz (Photo by Taylor Lanning/PDC)

Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen, Chris Dobey and Stephen Bunting sealed their spots in the World Darts Championship semi-finals on a thrilling day of action at Ally Pally on New Year’s Day.

The opening day of darting action in 2025 saw the quarter-finals take place across a gripping double session, as four major title winners kept their hopes of world title glory alive.

Odds-on tournament favourite Littler remained on course for a crowning glory with a dominant 5-2 win over Nathan Aspinall, registering his eighth ton-plus average on the Alexandra Palace stage in the process.

Littler stormed to the opening two sets, and though Aspinall halved the deficit, the 17-year-old responded with another barrage to move 4-1 ahead.

Two-time semi-finalist Aspinall refused to relent and doubled his tally to take the sixth set, only for Littler to close out victory with a 101 average and 15 maximums to his name.

“It’s an amazing feeling to reach another semi-final and start 2025 with a win,” said Littler, who will now face Bunting for a place in the final.

“Overall it was a good performance. We all know Nathan never gives up, but I pinged my doubles when it mattered tonight.

“That was the best I’ve felt in this tournament, and now I want to go that step closer and hopefully get the win tomorrow night.

“Me and Stephen are good friends, but all that’s in my head now is trying to make that second final.”

Van Gerwen is the only former PDC World Champion left standing at Ally Pally after he came through an epic contest to deny Callan Rydz in the afternoon session.

Rydz won 18 legs to Van Gerwen’s 17 in a contest littered with quality, though the Dutchman delivered at the crucial moments to establish a 4-2 lead.

Rydz clinched a sensational seventh set to preserve his hopes, yet he was left to rue two missed set darts in a dramatic finale, as Van Gerwen nailed double eight to seal victory.

“Callan put me under a lot of pressure. It was probably one of the most difficult moments of my year,” admitted Van Gerwen, who averaged 103 to Rydz’ 103.8.

“I think Callan has been a credit to this tournament, so to produce these moments when I had to, it gives me a lot of energy.

“I think I am in a good place, otherwise you can’t produce what I did this afternoon. It gives me goosebumps.

“This is why you want to play darts, and as long as I keep my form like this, I definitely have a chance.”

Van Gerwen’s reward is a semi-final showdown with Dobey – who recorded a landmark 5-3 victory over Gerwyn Price in the opening tie of the afternoon.

Dobey was featuring in his third consecutive World Championship quarter-final, having succumbed to Van Gerwen and Rob Cross in his previous appearances.

The 34-year-old relinquished a four-set lead against Cross a year ago to the day, but he made amends with a valiant fightback against Price, winning five of the last six sets to break new ground.

“This is a massive achievement in my career,” reflected Dobey, who regained his composure after squandering five match darts in the penultimate set.

“It’s the most nervous I’ve ever felt throwing to try and win a match, but I’m delighted to be sat here now looking forward to the semi-final.

“All my focus is on the next game. I just need to keep performing the way I am, and start hitting the doubles. I really do believe that I can go all the way.”

Bunting, meanwhile ran out a convincing 5-2 winner against two-time World Champion Peter Wright to book his place in a second World Championship semi-final.

The Masters champion produced an exhibition of big finishing to establish a four-set advantage, converting 101, 130 and 143 checkouts in a blistering flurry to leave Wright staring down the barrel.

Wright showed signs of resistance – including a majestic double-double 133 finish – to reduce the arrears to 4-2, only for Bunting to reply with a clean sweep in set seven to wrap up proceedings.

“I want to win this title more than anyone in the world,” said Bunting, who has dropped just four sets en route to the semi-finals.

“To come into this tournament last year as world number 25, and now I’m world number five, it’s a pinch-me moment to be honest.

“It is a massive achievement for me being back in the semi-finals, but I’m here to fight for the title, and I can’t wait for tomorrow night.

“I’m going to work hard and I’m going to make sure I am ready for this fight!”

World Darts Championship 2024/25 Semi-Final Results

Wednesday January 1

Quarter-Finals

Afternoon Session
Chris Dobey 5-3 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Callan Rydz

Evening Session
Peter Wright 2-5 Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler 5-2 Nathan Aspinall

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Littler, Van Gerwen, Dobey and Bunting book World Darts Championship semi-final spots

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