Luke Littler beat Stephen Ponting 6-1 to set up a clash with Michael van Gerwen in the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace on Friday live on Sky.
Littler has reached his second World Championship final in as many years, and after failing in the big dance against Luke Humphries in 2024, he has a chance to take the final step and claim world title glory in 2025.
His statistics were impressive in his semi-final showing, averaging 105.48 with 13 180s and a 44 per cent success rate in doubles.
In the opening semi-final, Van Gerwen dismantled Chris Dobie by the same margin to reach his seventh final and give himself a chance to lift the Sid Waddell Cup for a fourth time.
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Luke Littler scores 170 against Stephen Ponting to move one leg away from the World Darts Championship final
Littler (17 years old) will face Dutchman Van Gerwen (35 years old) on Friday evening with live coverage Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Darts From 7:30 p.m.
The pair have faced each other 12 times in their careers, each winning six times.
“If we play like we did tonight, it will be a really good (final),” Littler said. Sky Sports After his victory.
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Littler beats the bullseye on the 84th checkout to put himself 5-1 ahead against Bunting
“Once Luke Humphries went out, that's what everyone was looking at but I had to focus on the quarter-finals and semi-finals. I've done that now, I can focus on Michael tomorrow.
“We all know he's gunning for a fourth world title. I'm looking for my first.
“Like last night, go home, relax and come back tomorrow.”
Littler shows class to book back-to-back world finals
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Stephen Ponting and Luke Leiter blew the roof off Alexandra Palace as they marched ahead of their semi-final clash
After reaching the World Series final in his first appearance in 2024, Littler became only the seventh player in history to reach back-to-back finals,
The first set was a tight tussle between the duo, Littler coming out on top after hitting some doubles, but with both averaging over 100, it was clear this was going to be a high scoring match.
As the oldest player remaining in the competition faced the youngest, Ponting's 39-year-old double was hampering his progress, allowing Littler to pounce and secure a 3-0 lead, 158 not out and an average of 105.75 in hand on the way. .
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Littler scored a massive 158 not out against Stephen Ponting during the semi-final match
Ponting showed real guts and character to shake off the setback and make it 4-1 but after missing a dart to make it 4-2, Littler came in the clutch and had an 84 on target point to put himself within a set.
The 17-year-old then put himself within a foot of the final in impressive fashion when he beat the big fish, before 'The Nuke' sank over the top to write his name in the history books once again.
MVG cruises past Dobey to book the final spot
Van Gerwen went into the Ally Pally stage of the regional semi-final with a 1-0 lead against the dart before stealing the second set in the first leg, Dobey missing three darts in the double to make it level. game.
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Highlights of the World Darts Championship semi-final between Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobie
Although he had a rocky start, Dube then lived up to his “Hollywood” moniker and starred at Big Fish, knocking out a 108 to negate the fourth set and put himself back in contention.
Dube's dominant set was a short-lived moment in the match, although when Van Gerwen responded with a whitewash set of his own and with a stunning average of 107, he was quickly in front 3-1, three of the next four legs then heading to give him a four-set advantage.
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Chris Dobbie landed a huge big fish in the third set as he looks to battle it out against Michael van Gerwen in his World Darts Championship semi-final
The 'Green Machine' was just too powerful a force for Dobey to outmaneuver and with a 158 on his way to finishing the sixth set and then a break in the seventh, he pinned D16 to once again book a place on the grandest stage of all.
Van Gerwen said: “You always go through periods of ups and downs, but today I had the right mentality. Even when things did not go my way, I did good things at the right moments.” Sky Sports.
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Michael van Gerwen had a huge 158 takeout against Chris Dobbie in the semi-final match as the Green Machine achieved their biggest score of the tournament
He added, “Winning at this stage, especially in the semi-finals, means a lot to me. My family is watching me and this means a lot.”
“We're still so far away. I still have to fight. Tomorrow is another day and the title is so far away. That's what you have to keep telling yourself. I don't want to make mistakes. I want to keep it that way.” .
“I love performing on stage. It's my passion, it's my life. Of course, I have a family now but that's how it is. I enjoyed it tonight.”
What's next?
Littler will take on Van Gerwen in the World Darts Championship final, live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm on Friday 3 January.
The World Darts Championship kicks off 2025 with live darts on Sky Sports, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
Littler is defending Premier League champion after beating world No.1 Humphries in last year's final – but will he enter this year's events as world champion?
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch the final exclusively live on Sky Sports, the dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more of the best sports with NOW.