Luke Littler and Luke Humphries storm into UK Open quarter-finals as Smith dethrones Van den Bergh

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries surged into the quarter-finals of the UK Open on Saturday, while Michael Smith dumped out defending champion Dimitri van den Bergh.

The world’s top two ranked stars remained on course for glory at Butlins Minehead on a day which saw 32 players whittled down to just eight.

Humphries dropped just two legs in a dominant day’s work, emphatically whitewashing Ryan Searle in the Last 32 before thrashing Ryan Joyce 10-2 in the Last 16.

“My finishing has been fantastic today,” said Humphries, who has now won 25 of his last 27 legs played in the event.

“You’re in the real business end of a big tournament now, and it’s going to be tough because there are so many contenders left.

“It’s been a great couple of days for me, but now I’ve got to turn up tomorrow, have a good night’s rest and make sure that I’m really at my best to try and lift this trophy.

“If I keep playing like I can then I stand a great chance, and it would be an amazing achievement, because it’s such a prestigious tournament to win.”

Reigning World Champion Littler averaged 104.2 in an assured 10-4 win over Jermaine Wattimena, but was made to work hard for a 10-8 success over Krzysztof Ratajski later in the evening.

“I made it hard for myself, but I had to just stick in there and get the win,” reflected Littler.

“Krzysztof came back well, so I’m happy to get over the line and I’m looking forward to coming back tomorrow afternoon.

“I’m enjoying it, and if my darts are going well – which they are – then I enjoy myself even more.

“I’m just taking it game by game, and hopefully I can go all the way.”

James Wade’s passage into the Last Eight was less serene, as the three-time UK Open champion came through a last-leg decider with Cameron Menzies before battling to a 10-8 win over Rob Owen – who had dumped out three-time champion Michael van Gerwen earlier in the day.

Van Gerwen squandered a staggering 26 darts at doubles in an uncharacteristically poor display on the main stage, which saw fall 7-3 behind before launching a late fightback to no avail.

A repeat of the 2023 World Youth Championship final will see Littler take on Gian van Veen in Sunday’s quarter-finals, after the Dutch ace averaged 109.9 in a thrilling 10-9 win over Damon Heta.

Heta had hit back from 9-6 down to force a decider, but only for Van Veen to seal it in style with an 11-darter, ending with nine 180s and 10/13 on the doubles.

Meanwhile, a resurgent Michael Smith continued his comeback from injury by dumping out defending champion Van den Bergh.

Having seen off Madars Razma earlier in the day, Smith then punished a puzzling display from the Belgian – who averaged a mere 70.9 in a 10-3 rout for the World Champion.

Smith will now meet Josh Rock in the Last Eight after the Northern Irishman held his nerve in a deciding-leg epic against Ross Smith which featured 19 maximums between them, before recovering from 4-0 down to dispatch Rob Cross 10-6 with a 100 average.

Former champion Nathan Aspinall landed four ton-plus checkouts, including a match-winning 129, as he saw off William O’Connor in the Last 16, having earlier thrashed Jurjen van der Velde 10-2.

Jonny Clayton, who dispatched Gary Anderson on Friday night, battled back from 5-0 down to see off Alan Soutar 10-7, before easing past Martin Schindler 10-4 in the Last 16 with a 98 average.

UK Open 2025 Day Two Results

Saturday March 1

Afternoon Session

Main Stage
Dimitri Van den Bergh 10-9 Chris Dobey
Luke Littler 10-4 Jermaine Wattimena
Ryan Searle 0-10 Luke Humphries
Rob Owen 10-8 Michael van Gerwen

Stage Two
Josh Rock 10-9 Ross Smith
Alan Soutar 7-10 Jonny Clayton
Jurjen van der Velde 2-10 Nathan Aspinall
Rob Cross 10-9 Danny Noppert

Stage Three
Dave Chisnall 8-10 Krzysztof Ratajski
Mensur Suljovic 3-10 William O’Connor
Madars Razma 7-10 Michael Smith
Gian van Veen 10-7 Stephen Burton

Stage Four
Martin Schindler 10-9 Dylan Slevin
Danny Lauby 3-10 Ryan Joyce
Cameron Menzies 9-10 James Wade
Connor Scutt 7-10 Damon Heta

Evening Session

Last 16

Main Stage
Michael Smith 10-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Krzysztof Ratajski 8-10 Luke Littler
Ryan Joyce 2-10 Luke Humphries
Josh Rock 10-6 Rob Cross

Stage Two
Martin Schindler 4-10 Jonny Clayton
Rob Owen 8-10 James Wade
Damon Heta 9-10 Gian van Veen
Nathan Aspinall 10-8 William O’Connor