Day four of the Betfred World Matchplay delivered unparalleled drama, highlighted by teenage sensation Luke Littler’s breathtaking performance. He achieved a rare ‘perfect leg’ (nine-darter) during his victory over former champion Nathan Aspinall, setting a new record for the second-highest average in the tournament’s history. Beyond Littler’s brilliance, the day saw thrilling upsets, including Dirk van Duijvenbode’s emotional tie-break win against Michael van Gerwen, and strong performances from Josh Rock and Gary Anderson, setting the stage for an explosive quarter-final round.
Littler’s Unforgettable Performance: A Masterclass in Darts
Luke Littler, already a rising star in the darts world, solidified his legend on Tuesday with a performance that will be etched in history. Facing the formidable 2023 champion Nathan Aspinall, Littler didn’t just win; he dominated with a display of sheer perfection.
- The Perfect Leg: Littler opened the match with a sensational nine-darter – the ultimate achievement in darts, requiring just nine precise throws to check out from 501 points.
- Record-Breaking Average: He maintained an astonishing 113.68 average throughout the match, making it the second-highest ever recorded in the 32-year history of the World Matchplay tournament.
Despite Littler’s incredible start, where he even threatened a second nine-darter just a few legs later, Aspinall showed immense resilience. He battled back, levelling the score at 7-7, proving why he’s a champion, even when facing an opponent averaging significantly higher. Littler ultimately closed out the match 11-8, but not before Aspinall conjured a magical 170 checkout to prolong the contest, a testament to the high-stakes drama and both players’ incredible skill.
Littler’s Reflections: “Probably the best game me and Nathan have played”
A modest Littler commented, “That was probably the best game me and Nathan have played against each other.” He also noted the high averages, expressing surprise at Aspinall’s “101 for Nathan” being lower than he expected given the intensity of the match. Littler’s focus now turns to his ambition of retaining the Phil Taylor Trophy, a feat achieved by only three other players in the tournament’s history.
Key Statistics from Littler vs Aspinall:
- Littler’s Average: 113.68
- Aspinall’s Average: Over 101 points (as per Littler’s remarks)
- Maximums (180s): 22 in total, setting a new record for a Last 16 match at the World Matchplay.
- Littler’s 180s: 14
- Treble-less visits for Littler: Only 6 across 19 legs, highlighting his consistent, high-scoring accuracy.
Quarter-Finalists Emerge: Rock, Van Duijvenbode, and Anderson Advance
Day four also saw other major players secure their spots in the quarter-finals:
- Josh Rock vs. Stephen Bunting: Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock booked his quarter-final place for the second consecutive year, defeating Stephen Bunting 11-6. Rock admitted it was “one of the toughest games of my life” due to Bunting being a close friend, but he successfully changed his mindset to secure the win. He now faces Luke Littler in a highly anticipated rematch of their remarkable contest from last year’s tournament.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs. Michael van Gerwen: In a thrilling tie-break, Dirk van Duijvenbode caused a major upset by dumping out three-time World Matchplay champion Michael van Gerwen 14-12. Van Duijvenbode, who had led 8-4, described himself as “completely afraid like a little child crying for his mum” as Van Gerwen staged a fierce comeback. His emotional victory, following another tie-break win in the first round, sets up a quarter-final clash with Gary Anderson.
- Gary Anderson vs. Jonny Clayton: Veteran Gary Anderson demonstrated that “the old boys aren’t finished yet” by defeating fellow darting veteran Jonny Clayton 11-7. Despite Clayton’s strong start, Anderson took control, winning eight of the next ten legs to secure his first quarter-final appearance since 2020.
What’s Next: Exciting Clashes on Day Five
The Betfred World Matchplay continues to deliver high-octane darts with more Last 16 matches scheduled for Wednesday evening. Fans can look forward to these compelling matchups:
- All-Dutch battle: Gian van Veen vs. Wessel Nijman
- Scottish showdown: Cameron Menzies vs. Ross Smith
- Former World Champions clash: Gerwyn Price vs. Rob Cross
- Veteran vs. rising talent: James Wade vs. Ryan Searle
The stage is set for more unforgettable moments as players battle fiercely for a coveted spot in the prestigious quarter-finals.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
