Luke Littler beat Brendan Dolan 5-1 to advance to the semi-final with Rob Cross, who came back from four sets down to stun Chris Dobey; The World Darts Championship runs through to the final on January 3 – we're back at 7pm, live on Sky Sports Darts
By Ali Stafford at Alexandra Palace
Last updated: 01/01/24 5:32 p.m.
Luke Littler has progressed to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship by beating Brendan Dolan to continue his remarkable debut run.
Littler, 16, averaged 101.93 and threw five maximums in a dominant display against the Northern Irishman, who had beaten former world champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson in his previous rounds before being outclassed in a 5-1 defeat.
Littler maintained control throughout the match as he booked a semifinal encounter with 2018 world champion Cross, who became the first player in tournament history to come back from a 4-0 quarter score down final to win.
“If I keep going, I have a good chance,” Littler said. Aerial sports. “Now I'm dreaming! I have two matches left. I'm really thinking about winning the title.”
World Darts Championship: New Year's afternoon results
Rob Croix | 5-4 | Chris Dobey |
Luc Littler | 5-1 | Brendan Dolan |
Cross won five straight sets to defeat Chris Dobey in the final set and reach the final four for the first time since winning the Sid Waddell Trophy six years ago.
Littler's remarkable journey continues
Dolan fired a checkout of 101 to break the throw in the opening game and capitalize on the debutant missing two darts to hold next, before Littler responded to win the next two and take the first set to a decider .
Littler turned to the crowd before attempting the final dart of the “Big Fish”, where he missed the target before sealing the set on his next visit, then breaking early in the second with a brilliant 100 check-outs.
He followed up with a 12-dart hold before launching into a straight-legged run, then responded to Dolan by releasing an 88 on target and following up with a break by shooting a break of 111 himself to jump into a three -put the lead.
Dolan notched the biggest score of the match when he struck out 142 to hold the throw in the fourth, but lost the next three sets to fall four sets back, only to capitalize on a sloppy finish from Littler to make a takedown of 118 and get a set on the match. advice.
Littler responded by making a 140 to break the throw in the opening game of the sixth and held on in the next to move closer to victory, before signing his latest victory with a brilliant 13 dart.
“I’m happy to get here,” Littler added. “I deserved it and my performance was good. I still have a 100+ average and my doubles are at 47 percent, so it went well today too.
Cross stuns Dobey in thriller
Cross produced one of the greatest comebacks in World Darts Championship history as he came from 4-0 down to claim a remarkable final victory over Chris Dobey.
Dobey broke twice before winning the first set, shooting with checkouts of 89 and 100 along the way, then responded to Cross missing a set dart in the second to win the next two sets and advance 2- 0.
Cross's hopes of a comeback appeared all but over when Dobey cruised through the third set straight-legged and shot a stunning 122 to take the fourth by the same margin, knocking out a 161 along the way to move closer to 'a victory set. .
Cross checked out a 92 and fired legs of 14 and 13 darts to win the fifth set, with the 2018 champion then breaking Dobey early in the sixth before going through a decisive game in the next game to record a third consecutive set. .
Cross led the match into a final set and advanced for the first time when he shot 117 and 130 checkouts in successive legs, only for Dobey to immediately step back and hold the throw in the next to take the fight to extra legs .
An incredible 10-dart leg gave Cross a 4-3 lead in the deciding set, with “Voltage” then scoring a dramatic victory in the next stage in D8 to reach the semi-finals for the first time since their success at the World Championships.
Cross told Sky Sports: “I wasn't really feeling myself, but towards the end I was just thinking, keep going, we're going to win. Thanks to Chris (Dobey). That 161 when I gave up, it gave me really kicked it in the mouth.
“I just thought it was all up to me and I still believe that even when I'm down 4-0. I had one of the biggest comebacks against Chris in the (World) Matchplay, so I might as well do well at Worlds! “
What is happening on Monday evening at the World Darts Championship?
![Michael van Gerwen returns to fight against Scott Williams on Monday night](https://e1.365dm.com/23/12/768x432/skysports-michael-van-gerwen_6407074.jpg?20231229211656)
Michael van Gerwen returns to fight against Scott Williams on Monday night
The semi-final line-up will be completed when three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen takes on “Shaggy” Scott Williams.
Dave 'Chizzy' Chisnall takes on 'Cool Hand' Luke Humphries in the last quarter-final, with the winners of those two matches then meeting in Tuesday's semi-final.
World Darts Championship Live
January 1, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Live of
World Darts Championship: New Year's Eve schedule
Michael van Gerwen | against | Scott Williams |
Luc Humphries | against | Dave Chisnall |
The sport's biggest event sees the remaining players compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5 million in prize money at Alexandra Palace. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.
Watch the World Darts Championship through to the final on January 3 live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports without a contract NOW.