Luke Litter (Photo by Simon O'Connor/PDC)
Luke Littler fought back from the brink to deny Gerwyn Price in an astonishing quarter-final tie at the World Grand Prix in Leicester.
Littler overturned a two-set deficit to topple 2020 champion Price in a contest littered with drama, converting a magical 152 finish in a deciding-leg thriller to preserve his title hopes at the Mattioli Arena.
The World Champion was staring down the barrel of a straight-sets defeat against a fired-up Price, before briefly banishing his doubling woes with a 107 average in set three to halve the deficit.
Littler then survived three match darts to restore parity in the fourth, having summoned up a skin-saving 154 checkout just moments prior.
The Warrington wonderkid continued his charge to lead 2-0 in the fifth and decisive set, only for Price to hit back with a brilliant 156 outshot to set up a fascinating last-leg shoot-out.
Both players failed to pin a starting double with their first visit in the decider, but with Price poised on a potential two-darter for victory, Littler had the final say, converting an astonishing 152 to complete the comeback.
“What a strange game,” claimed Littler, who will take on 2021 champion Jonny Clayton in Saturday’s semi-finals.
“When I was 2-0 down, I just said to myself: ‘It’s now or never. You have to switch on! In that last leg we were both feeling the nerves and both giving it a little bit, but I’m just so glad I was able to hit that winning double.”
Clayton raced through to the last four following a straight-sets demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode, converting a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts in sweeping aside the 2020 runner-up.
Van Duijvenbode won the opening leg of the contest before Clayton rattled off nine without reply, producing 112, 118 and 130 combinations to cap off a finishing masterclass.
“I knew I had to produce something close to my A-game tonight,” insisted Clayton, who has reached the semi-finals of every televised ranking event this season.
“Dirk and I are big mates backstage. He’s a character and a great player, so I’m glad to get over that line. I’ve got a smile on my face. It’s going to be a difficult game tomorrow, but I’m still here, so watch out!”
Clayton will be joined in the semi-finals by 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who overcame the challenge of Cameron Menzies to advance to a third consecutive World Grand Prix semi-final.
The world number one fended off a blistering mid-game burst from the Scot to complete a 3-1 success, averaging 91, landing five 180s and pinning 46% of his attempts at double in the process.
“I felt amazing tonight,” declaredHumphries, also last year’s runner-up.
“I thought my scoring was brilliant. My doubling-in wasn’t as good, so now I’m just waiting for them both to click together. I’ve slowed my throw down recently and I feel really relaxed. I always strive for more, and maybe this is a new version of me starting to come out.”
Humphries will take on Danny Noppert for a place in Sunday’s showpiece, after the Dutchman advanced to his second double-start semi-final with a 3-1 victory over 2016 runner-up Gary Anderson.
Anderson drew first blood courtesy of a majestic 158 finish on the bull, although Noppert fought back superbly, wrapping up victory with a clinical 92 kill after the Scot had missed a dart at tops to force a final set.
“I am speechless,” admitted the former UK Open champion, who pinned 11 of his 18 attempts at a finishing double to triumph.
“It was a rollercoaster of a game, but I’m really happy to be in the semi-finals! What a game it was. I felt really nervous at times, but it was a great finish at the end!”
The World Grand Prix continues with a bumper night of semi-final action on Saturday, as Humphries takes on Noppert in the evening’s opener, before Littler and Clayton renew their rivalry on the big stage.
RESULTS
Quarter-Finals: Danny Noppert 3-1 Gary Anderson (2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2); Jonny Clayton 3-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode (3-1, 3-0, 3-0); Luke Littler 3-2 Gerwyn Price (1-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2); Luke Humphries 3-1 Cameron Menzies (3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0)
