Luke Littler reaches World Darts Championship final after beating Rob Cross at Alexandra Palace | Darts News

Luke Littler, 16, moves one victory away from Alexandra Palace glory after crushing Rob Cross 6-2 in the semi-final; Littler will face Luke Humphries in the final; We're back on Wednesday at 7:30pm for the World Darts Championship Final – live on Sky Sports Darts

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The best of the action from the World Darts Championship semi-finals at Alexandra Palace

Teenager Luke Littler advanced to the World Darts Championship final after crushing Rob Cross to move within one match of a historic maiden title at Alexandra Palace.

Littler averaged 106.05, hitting 16 maximums and finishing in tons and overs of 149, 142 and 132 en route to a magnificent 6-2 victory over 2018 winner Cross at the age of 16.

He will face another in-form player, Luke Humphries, who stepped up a gear to blank Scott Williams 6-0 in the second semi-final to become the new world number 1 and extend his unbeaten run to 18 matches.

“No words! It's crazy to think that I'm in the final of a World Championship in my debut,” Littler said. Aerial sports. “I was happy to win a match but I could go all the way!

“You play Rob, he's a world champion and he won on his debut. Rob said to me 'God bless you, you're one step away, do it'.

“I just settled in on stage. It took me a few legs to settle into the game and once I found that rhythm, I was ready to go.”

Littler was greeted by the Warrington Wolves mascot in an electrifying walk-on, but it was Cross who stormed out of the blocks and edged out a quality set in a decider with an average of 108.6.

It was the first time Littler had lost the first set of the tournament.

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Littler showed no signs of nervousness as he pulled out this majestic crate 142

The teenager recovered from 2-1 down in the next match, but a crucial check-out of 74 in the decider saw him level with an average of 101 and four 180s.

Cross, the 2018 champion, seemed taken aback by Littler's incredible accuracy on the triple 20 and it wasn't long before the 16-year-old took the lead by smashing a superb 142 before touching the 'Before.

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Teenager scores incredible 147 in semi-final with Cross

Littler opened the fourth set with an 11 dart and he then hit a mammoth 149 on double 16 to go 2-1 up in the legs.

'Voltage' equalized and he then landed a perfect six darts in the next game, but it was the junior world champion who extended his lead with a magnificent 11 dart to take a 3-1 lead with an average of 103 .8 with nine 180s and 65 percent on doubles.

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What an extraordinary leg! Cross almost hits a nine but Littler wins it in 11 darts

Cross, who made a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down to beat Chris Dobey 5-4 in his quarterfinal on Monday, made an unorthodox takedown of 138 in the fifth set return match.

Littler missed a dart at the top of the set to extend his lead, allowing former electrician Cross to pounce and cut the gap to 3-2 in sets.

“The Nuke” closed the sixth set 3-1 with an average of 107 to Cross's 91.58 to restore a two-set advantage with 14 maximums.

And Littler had one foot in the final when he closed the seventh set by the same score, averaging 110.55 for sets six and seven.

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Littler went on a rampage at Ally Pally and produced this outrageous 132 in the eighth set en route to victory.

The teen star was playing with Cross and he raised the roof with a 132 crate, leaving Cross shaking his head in pure disbelief.

Littler scored a historic victory with a two-dart shot of 80 to reach Wednesday's final against three-time major champion Humphries.

Ahead of the finale, Littler added: “I'll do what I did. In the morning, go eat a ham and cheese omelette, then come here eat pizza and then work out. That's what I did every time.” day.”

Humphries cruised to a resounding victory over Williams with a 108.74 average, 14 180, a breathtaking doubles performance and sensational finishes of over six tons – including a magical 170.

“It was incredible. I never imagined becoming world number 1. It's a special feeling. And to do it in style,” said a delighted Humphries, who won the World Grand Prix, the Grand Slam of Darts and players. Championship finals titles since October.

“I'm really happy with this performance. But the world number 1 can last for a few months, the world champion is eternal so I have a very difficult task tomorrow against Luke.”

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Luke Humphries is in frightening form after reaching over six tons in his demolition of Scott Williams

Humphries aims to cap a sensational 2023 campaign by becoming only the third player – alongside Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen – to win four Premier TV titles in the space of 12 months.

Meanwhile, after Dennis Priestley won the inaugural World Darts Championship in 1993/94, Littler is now trying to follow in the footsteps of Van Barneveld and Cross, who both won the sport's biggest title in their early days.

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Humphries said he had to put in a 'remarkable performance' in his semi-final victory

How social media reacted to Littler's victory…

The sport's biggest event sees the final two players battle it out for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5 million in prize money at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday night. You can watch all the action live on our dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship final on January 3, 2024 – live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract NOW