Luke Littler seals World Grand Prix semi-final spot with epic comeback win over Gerwyn Price

Luke Littler produced a remarkable comeback from two sets down to deny Gerwyn Price in a last-leg decider and reach the semi-finals of the World Grand Prix on Friday.

Littler dug deep as he battled back from the brink to edge out Price – who was left to squander three match darts in a pulsating contest.

The reigning World Champion was punished for several missed darts at finishing doubles in the early stages as Price opened up a 2-0 lead, before Littler roared back with a 107 average in taking the third set without reply.

Littler then survived three match darts from Price in set four before restoring parity, having produced a skin-saving 154 checkout just moments prior.

The 18-year-old continued his charge to move 2-0 ahead in the fifth set, only for Price to hit back with a brilliant 156 checkout to set up a gripping last-leg shoot-out.

Both players failed to hit a starting double with their first visit in the decider, but with Price poised on a potential two-darter for victory, Littler had the final say, firing in an astonishing 152 to complete the comeback.

“What a strange game,” admitted Littler, who will take on 2021 champion Jonny Clayton in Saturday’s semi-finals.

“Nothing was going in my favour.

“When I was 2-0 down, I just said to myself: ‘It’s now or never. You have to switch on!’

“I slammed my bottle on the table, I was like ‘it’s over, it’s done’.

“In that last leg we were both feeling the nerves and both giving it a little bit, but I’m just so glad I was able to hit that winning double.”

Clayton, meanwhile, raced through to the semi-finals following a straight-sets demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode, producing a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts in sweeping aside the 2020 runner-up.

Van Duijvenbode won the opening leg of the contest before Clayton rattled off nine without reply, producing 112, 118 and 130 finishes to cap off a clinical display.

“I knew I had to produce something close to my A-game tonight,” insisted Clayton, who has reached the semi-finals of every televised ranking event this season.

“Dirk and I are big mates backstage. He’s a character and a great player, so I’m glad to get over that line.

“I’ve got a smile on my face. It’s going to be a difficult game tomorrow, but I’m still here, so watch out!”

Clayton will be joined in the semi-finals by 2023 champion Luke Humphries – who overcame the challenge of Cameron Menzies to advance to a third consecutive World Grand Prix semi-final.

The world number one fended off a blistering mid-game burst from the Scot to complete a 3-1 success, averaging 91, landing five 180s and pinning 46 per cent of his attempts at finishing doubles in the process.

“I felt amazing tonight,” said Humphries. “I thought my scoring was brilliant.

“My doubling-in wasn’t as good, so now I’m just waiting for them both to click together.

“I’ve slowed my throw down recently and I feel really relaxed. I always strive for more, and maybe this is a new version of me starting to come out.”

Humphries will now face Danny Noppert for a place in Sunday’s showpiece, after the Dutchman advanced to his second World Grand Prix semi-final with a 3-1 victory over 2016 runner-up Gary Anderson.

Anderson drew first blood courtesy of a majestic 158 checkout on the bull, but Noppert fought back superbly, wrapping up victory with a clinical 92 finish after the Scot had missed a dart at tops to force a final set.

“I’m speechless,” admitted the former UK Open champion, who pinned 11 of his 18 attempts at finishing doubles to triumph.

“It was a rollercoaster of a game, but I’m really happy to be in the semi-finals!

“What a game it was. I felt really nervous at times, but it was a great finish at the end!”

BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix 2025 Day Five Results

Friday October 10

Quarter-Finals

Danny Noppert 3-1 Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton 3-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Littler 3-2 Gerwyn Price
Luke Humphries 3-1 Cameron Menzies