Luke Littler and Danny Noppert storm into Grand Slam of Darts semi-finals
Luke Littler continued his bid for back-to-back Grand Slam of Darts titles as he set up a semi-final showdown with Danny Noppert in Wolverhampton on Saturday.
Following wins for Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price in Friday’s opening quarter-finals, Littler and Noppert completed the Last Four line-up with impressive victories over Josh Rock and Lukas Wenig respectively.
Littler was forced to recover from 9-6 down to maintain the defence of the Eric Bristow Trophy, averaging 105.2 to topple Rock 16-12 in an epic contest.
Rock fired in a trio of 12-darters to put Littler under early pressure, before averaging 110 in a clinical third mini-session to establish daylight at 9-6.
Littler responded in typically defiant fashion, reeling off seven straight legs to seize control in a remarkable spell which featured finishes of 74, 71, 90, 96 and 81.
Rock hit back with an 11-dart break to reduce the deficit to 13-11, before the pair traded 12-darters on the bull as the relentless quality continued.
Nevertheless, Littler halted the Northern Irishman’s resistance with an 11-dart break to move to the cusp of victory at 15-12, which he duly sealed via a trademark finish on double ten.
“I slowed my throw down and that really helped with the timing of my shots,” revealed Littler, who is now unbeaten in 12 games on the Aldersley stage.
“I was giving myself absolute hell at 9-6 down, but then I came back on and won the next five and went into the lead, and I couldn’t ask for anything better.
“Me and Josh always bring the best out of each other. It’s another game and another win and I’m still unbeaten here.
“I know I need to win one more game to become the world number one, but I need to get past Danny tomorrow afternoon, which will be a difficult game.”
Littler will face Noppert for a place in Sunday evening’s final after running out a comprehensive 16-8 winner over German debutant Wenig.
Wenig drew first blood with a terrific 130 checkout on the bull, though it was Noppert’s combination finishing that proved decisive in the early exchanges.
The Dutchman landed a hat-trick of 76 finishes in the opening session, before registering successive 116 and 140 checkouts to establish a 6-4 advantage.
Noppert then rattled off a five-leg burst to stretch his lead to 11-4, only for Wenig to stop the rot with a sensational 170 checkout in leg 16.
The former UK Open champion responded with another four-leg burst to move to the brink of victory, before defying 104 and 129 checkouts from Wenig to confirm his progress.
“I’m really happy. I’m in the semi-final of the Grand Slam,” reflected Noppert, who has now featured in five televised semi-finals in 2025.
“I was dreaming about it all the time and now I did it. This was not my best game of course, but I’m really proud to be in the semi-finals.
“I think I’m in the best form of my life and I always believe in myself, so I’m really pleased with everything.”
Grand Slam of Darts 2025 Day Eight Results
Saturday November 15
Quarter-Finals
Danny Noppert 16-8 Lukas Wenig
Luke Littler 16-12 Josh Rock
