Luke Littler delivered a commanding performance to secure his place in the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship with a 5-2 victory over Nathan Aspinall. Littler’s dominance on the Alexandra Palace stage showcased his remarkable talent and left little doubt about his ambitions for the tournament.
From the outset, Littler set the tone with an assured 105 checkout to take the opening leg and quickly raced to a 2-0 lead. His ability to maintain focus and capitalize on scoring opportunities ensured Aspinall was always on the back foot. Aspinall, a seasoned competitor and two-time major champion, demonstrated flashes of brilliance, including firing in 11 maximums and averaging 96. However, these efforts were insufficient against Littler’s relentless scoring power and clinical finishing.
The crowd, captivated by Littler’s charisma and precision, played an integral role in the electric atmosphere. As his walk-on music faded, the energy remained, underscoring the growing sense of anticipation surrounding Littler’s performances. Despite the audience’s hopes for a dramatic comeback, Littler maintained his composure, stating afterward that his focus was solely on finishing the match efficiently.
Aspinall’s year has been marked by challenges, including injuries that disrupted his rhythm and limited his success in major tournaments. While he managed to claim a couple of sets and exhibit moments of his trademark resilience, he was largely outmatched. Littler’s ability to consistently hit treble visits and deliver decisive finishes in the 80-100 range highlighted the gulf in form between the two players.
Looking ahead, Littler now faces Stephen Bunting in the semi-finals. Bunting, who delivered an impressive victory over Peter Wright earlier in the evening, will need to contend with Littler’s exceptional scoring and ability to dictate the pace of matches. Littler’s confidence and freedom on the oche, reminiscent of his form from the previous year, make him a formidable opponent as he moves closer to his ultimate goal.
With just two matches standing between Littler and the championship title, his journey has captured the imagination of fans and further cemented his reputation as a rising star in the sport.
