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Live Darts on New Year’s Day | World Darts Championship 2024/25 Quarter-Finals Preview and Order of Play

Luke Littler edges out Ryan Joyce to reach World Championship quarter-finals as Van Gerwen and Bunting prevail

Jamie Shaw in World Darts Championship 31 Dec 2025

Luke Littler reacts (Photo by Simon O’Connor/PDC)

Luke Littler narrowly denied Ryan Joyce in a deciding set to secure his place in the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship, as Michael van Gerwen and Stephen Bunting also progressed.

The final day of darting action in 2024 saw the remaining Last 16 ties take place at Alexandra Palace, with Littler and Van Gerwen among those to seal Last Eight spots.

They will be joined in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day by Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey and Callan Rydz – who kept their hopes of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy alive.

Littler held off a spirited display from Joyce to clinch a 4-3 victory in the final match of the calendar year, averaging 103 and crashing in 14 maximums to maintain his world title bid.

Joyce hit back from a set behind on three occasions to level the contest and threaten to tear up the script, but Littler held firm to avoid an upset.

Last year’s beaten finalist missed a match dart at tops for a 4-2 victory, but after Joyce forced a seventh set decider, the 17-year-old averaged 110 in a stunning final set to go through.

“It was a very tough game. We both played very well,” said Littler, who will renew his rivalry with stablemate Aspinall on New Year’s Day.

“Ryan said he had no power-scoring, but he was right behind me in every leg I won! Ryan won’t be happy with the result, but I think he should be happy with the way he played.

“I’m expecting Nathan to play very well. We’ve played each other many times before, we know how we can play.

“This is the quarter-final of the World Championship, so may the best man win on the day!”

Van Gerwen, meanwhile, sent out a statement to his title rivals with a superb display against Jeffrey De Graaf, fending off a mid-game fightback from the Swedish star to triumph with a 102 average.

The three-time World Champion was imperious as he raced to the opening two sets, only for De Graaf to hit back with a brilliant burst, winning six of the next seven legs to restore parity at two apiece.

However, Van Gerwen responded in emphatic style, winning the last six legs without reply to remain on course for a fourth World Championship crown.

“I think I played a really good game,” insisted Van Gerwen, who will face an in-form Rydz in the quarter-finals.

“I was cruising and I was in control, and then Jeffrey produced two good sets, but more importantly, I was able to find another gear when I had to.

“Callan has the highest tournament average so far, so I cannot underestimate him, but I feel good, I feel comfortable, and from this position, I think anything is possible in this tournament.”

Bunting delivered another dominant display to book his place in a fourth PDC World Championship quarter-final, whitewashing a below-par Luke Woodhouse.

The Masters champion landed a 121 checkout to clinch a quick-fire opening set, before winning nine of the next 12 legs to sweep aside Woodhouse in clinical fashion.

“To be in the quarter-finals of the biggest tournament on the planet is a massive honour,” said Bunting.

“I feel really fresh and really confident, and I’ve never played in an atmosphere like that before. I believe these fans can take me all the way.

“Peter Wright is one of the best players on the planet. He was fantastic against Luke Humphries last night, and I expect that version of Peter again on New Year’s Day.”

Aspinall breezed through to the Last Eight for the first time since 2020 with a four-set blitz of Ricardo Pietreczko, dropping just two legs on his way to a comprehensive victory over the out of sorts German.

“That’s probably the loudest and the best crowd I have ever played darts in, that was unbelievable,” admitted Aspinall.

“I enjoyed every single moment of that game; it’s the first game that I’ve played that I’ve enjoyed in a long, long time, and hopefully my next game’s the same.

“I’m over the moon to make the quarter finals. Luke is going to be favourite, but that spurs me on. I love being an underdog.”

Dobey will take on 2021 World Champion Gerwyn Price for a place in the semis after punishing a wasteful display of finishing from Kevin Doets to wrap up a battling 4-3 win.

Doets landed a sensational 130 checkout to move 3-2 up, before Dobey responded by winning six of the next eight legs to secure a place in his third consecutive World Championship quarter-final.

Dobey’s fellow Bedlington darter Rydz recovered from 2-0 down to edge out Robert Owen in another dramatic affair, averaging 97 and landing a dozen maximums to set up a showdown with Van Gerwen.

Owen squandered three darts at doubles for a 3-0 lead, and that proved to be the turning point as Rydz completed the turnaround to seal a spot in the quarter-finals for the second time in his career.

World Darts Championship 2024/25 Day 13 Results

Monday December 30

Last 16

Afternoon Session
Kevin Doets 3-4 Chris Dobey
Robert Owen 3-4 Callan Rydz
Nathan Aspinall 4-0 Ricardo Pietreczko

Evening Session
Stephen Bunting 4-0 Luke Woodhouse
Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Jeffrey De Graaf
Luke Littler 4-3 Ryan Joyce

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Luke Littler edges out Ryan Joyce to reach World Championship quarter-finals as Van Gerwen and Bunting prevail

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