Luke Littler is in the semi -finals of the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix after producing a remarkable comeback to anesthetize Gerwyn Price in a final leg thriller in Leicester.
The favorite before the tournament breeze through its first two matches without dropping a set, but struggled early during Friday’s Blockbuster clash at the Matrioli Arena, where the price facilitated to a two-set benefit as Littler fought on double rooms.
Littler replied by winning the next set in straight legs, though it seemed on the verge of defeat when Price moved within a win, only for the world # 2 to shoot in a 154 finish and expand the competition.
Price missed three Kampdart in the fourth set, where ‘The Nuke’ stuck throws and broke in the next to take the fight for a fifth set, with Momentum Moving Littlers Vej after he went 2-0 in the decision.
A 15-dart team from Price was followed by a sensational 156 checkout to push the match to a last leg, with both players struggling to get started in the double start format before Littler wrapped an epic victory with a 152 finish.
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Luke Littler beat Gerwyn Price in a Final-Ben Decision with an astonishing 152 checkout
Littler will now face a semi-final showdown with Jonny Clayton, who dropped only one leg during a direct demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode earlier in the evening, with Luke Humphries and Danny nops the others to move on after a remarkable evening.
Noppert came from a set down to beat Gary Anderson 3-1, while World No 1 Humphries -2023 -Master and 2024 -Runner -Up -defeated Cameron Menzies with the same margin to move a step closer to a third final in a row.
A look at a draw after Friday’s quarter -final session
Littler stunned with ‘strange’ victory as price ‘veiled’
Both players average less than 85 during an absorbing competition, despite Littler firing 10 maximum and the couple delivering four ton-plus box between them, with the teenager rejoicing to overcome his matches on the outer ring to book his semi-final place.
“Very, very weird,” Littler told Sky Sports About his performance. “I wasn’t happy to go down 2-0. The first and second sets I was on the cord every single time. Missing six against the darts in the last leg, I said ‘you can’t do it’. My sore throat is definitely worth it.
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Luke Littler reflects on his magic comeback victory against Gerwyn Price to make the world Grand Prix semi-final
“I was just thinking ‘it’s now or never’ after walking down 2-0. I had to turn on. Find these trebles and not stay on the cord. I changed up to double 16. Everyone knows that Double 16 is the one who won me the World Cup.”
Price did not talk to the media after his defeat, but responded to the loss on social media, describing Littler as playing ‘Great in Patches’ and questioned whether TV -Majors should be played in neutral venues.
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Gerwyn Price delivered a fantastic 156 finish during the last set to take his battle from Luke Littler into one last leg
“Wow blurred,” Price said on his Instagram story. “This is why we have to play majors in neutral venues/countries. Luke was big in spots at the right time in the end, but I lost it again.”
Could Littler meet Humphries Showdown?
Humphries needed only 43 darts to rattle through the opening set in straight legs, but was short in the back shortly after, when Menzies won the second and started the third with a fantastic 160 checkout.
‘Cool Hand’ found improvement to win each of the next six legs and close the victory, leaving Humphries – who released an average of 91.5 – that was left on course for another TV final against Littler.
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Luke Humphries reflects over Luke Littler’s quarter-final showdown with Gerwyn Price and hopes to meet the world champion in the World Grand Prix final.
When he was talking about Littler’s victory over Price, Humphries added: “I had to sit down. It was a great game but probably not the standard they are capable of. It was just a good game.
“Sometimes do not make the average the best games. Hopefully you can see me and luke [Littler] Here on Sunday. “
How Noppert and Clayton reached Leicester semi -final
Noppert started the opening match at night with a 13-dart break, but missed three darts to win the set 3-1 as Anderson followed an 88 finish with a sensational 158 checkout on Bullseye to snap the opening set in the last leg.
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Gary Anderson took the first set against Danny Noppert in the style of a 158 checkout on Bullseye
The Dutchman broke back to win the other and fired a brilliant 156 finish on his way to win the third before answering Anderson, who took an 86 checkout on Bullseye to close victory in another final leg.
Clayton’s one -sided victory, including him, who opened the second set with a 118 finish and closed it out with a 130 checkout before the Welsher signed a big victory with 112 and 90 finishes in successive legs.
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Jonny Clayton checks 118 and 130 on Bullseye to go 2-0 up towards Dirk van Duijvenbode
“I knew that if I didn’t bring my A-game it would be close,” Clayton told Sky Sports. “Dirk is a character and a great player. I scrap through games. I’ve done my job and that’s all that counts.”
What’s coming up on Saturday?
Littler now plays Clayton in the semi -finals, while Noppert will play Humphries.
The semi-finals are played over the best of nine sets before Sunday’s final is the best of 11 sets, with the World Grand Prix champion receiving the first prize of £ 120,000.
Who wins the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix? Watch all weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues on Saturday from 1 p.m. 20 at Sky Sports+ and 20.30 at Sky Sports Main Event. Stream darts, football, golf, cricket and more contract free with now.