Luke Littler withstands Rob Cross test to reach World Darts Championship Quarter-Finals as Doets dispatches Aspinall

Luke Littler fended off a spirited fightback from Rob Cross to remain on course for back-to-back World Darts Championship titles at Alexandra Palace on Monday.

The defending champion averaged almost 106.5 and crashed in a staggering 17 maximums to triumph in a battle of the World Champions, as he and Ryan Searle became the first two players to reach the quarter-finals.

Littler dropped his first set of the tournament as Cross levelled proceedings at one apiece, but the world number one produced an emphatic response, averaging 125 in set three to regain the upper-hand.

Trailing 3-1, Cross landed a majestic 126 skin-saver on the bull to clinch set five, before firing in legs of 13 and 12 darts to seize the initiative in set six.

However, Littler hit back with a sensational ten-dart break of throw – surviving a set dart along the way – which he backed up with a clinical 68 kill on tops to celebrate a 4-2 success.

“It was a brilliant game, and it was a test that I needed,” insisted Littler, who is aiming to become the first player to retain the Sid Waddell Trophy since Gary Anderson a decade ago.

“I proved once again that when someone tests me, I can overcome them, but Rob definitely found his feet towards the end of that game.

“I’ve hit a 107 average followed by a 106, so I’m feeling confident, and now I’ll be back on New Year’s Day to play either Krzysztof [Ratajski] or Luke [Woodhouse].”

Littler aired his frustration at the Ally Pally boo boys in his post-match interview on Sky Sports, offering: “You guys pay for tickets that pay for my prize money – so thank you. Thank you for my money. Thank you for booing me.”

Searle is now the only player yet to drop a set in this year’s World Championship he after stormed through to the quarter-finals for the first time courtesy of a 4-0 demolition of James Hurrell.

The Somerset star averaged 102.3 to dispatch Martin Schindler in Round Three, and he was equally imperious against Hurrell, averaging almost 101 and pinning 12 of his 24 attempts at doubles to break new ground at Ally Pally.

“It didn’t quite happen for James tonight, and I’ve been in that position,” admitted Searle.

“All you hope for as a dart player is to get on the stage and produce the darts you know you’re capable of.

“If I can play my game, then I can go all the way, and if you don’t believe that, there’s no point being here.”

Earlier in the day, the Last 32 drew to a close as Josh Rock, Kevin Doets, Charlie Manby and Justin Hood completed the Last 16 line-up.

Doets will take on world number two Luke Humphries for a place in the quarter-finals after producing a stunning late burst to dump out Nathan Aspinall in a seven-set thriller.

Two-time semi-finalist Aspinall landed his second 170 checkout of the tournament to lead 3-2, only for Doets to follow up an 11-darter with 112 and 164 combinations to level at three apiece.

The Dutchman maintained his charge with successive 100 and 96 checkouts in the deciding set, before punishing three missed darts at double from Aspinall to seal the deal on double ten.

“I felt really, really comfortable and I kept my focus,” reflected Doets, who also reached the same stage of last year’s World Championship.

“When you are able to do that, you play your best darts.

“This is the one you look forward to the whole year, and I feel like I can shut my mind off.

“All I can say is, if I play like I did in the last two sets, Luke is going to have a tough time!”

Meanwhile, debutant Manby celebrated a quick-fire 4-2 victory over Ricky Evans to set up a fascinating showdown against European Champion Gian van Veen.

The Huddersfield youngster struggled on the outer ring in the opening exchanges, before pouncing on an Evans capitulation to clinch nine of the last 12 legs and continue his breakthrough run in the capital, after also defeating Cameron Menzies and Adam Sevada.

“I showed in the first game that I can fight back from being behind, and I thought I did well to fight back today,” reflected the 20-year-old.

“It’s crazy to be in the last 16. Everything’s dropping into place for me at the minute and I can’t complain.

“I’m good mates with Gian, I practiced with him last time we played. I think it will be a good pace and just a good game overall really.”

Rock and Hood will also lock horns for a place in the quarter-finals following 4-1 victories over Callan Rydz and Ryan Meikle respectively.

Rock produced an eye-catching display to deny Rydz, averaging 99 and posting nine 180s to reach the Last 16 for the second time in his career.

World number 86 Hood produced a hat-trick of ton-plus finishes to see off Meikle, defying back-to-back 146 and 147 checkouts from the Suffolk star in the fourth to cap off a polished performance.

World Darts Championship 2025/26 Day 16 Results

Monday December 29

Third Round (unless stated)

Afternoon Session
Justin Hood 4-1 Ryan Meikle
Ricky Evans 2-4 Charlie Manby
Nathan Aspinall 3-4 Kevin Doets

Evening Session
R3 – Josh Rock 4-1 Callan Rydz
R4 – Ryan Searle 4-0 James Hurrell
R4 – Luke Littler 4-2 Rob Cross