Littler cruises into Matchplay semis with win over Rock

Defending champion Luke Littler continued his strong run at the World Matchplay, cruising into the semi-finals with a commanding 16-7 quarter-final victory over Josh Rock in Blackpool.

Rock initially matched Littler, with the players trading legs to reach a 5-5 stalemate. However, the 19-year-old Littler then asserted his dominance, reeling off five legs in a row. This decisive run proved insurmountable for Rock, allowing the defending champion to advance comfortably.

Littler showcased exceptional form, hitting 17 maximums with an impressive scoring average of 109.57. Reflecting on his performance, Littler expressed satisfaction, stating, "At the minute, everything's going to plan. I feel good. I can afford to miss a few doubles because the scoring's there."

In the semi-finals, Littler is set to face unseeded Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. Earlier on Thursday evening, Van Duijvenbode secured his spot in his first Matchplay semi-final by defeating Gary Anderson 16-13. Anderson, the 2018 champion, mounted a late comeback attempt, but Van Duijvenbode managed to hold on for the victory.

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At the minute, everything's going to plan. I feel good. I can afford to miss a few doubles because the scoring's there. Once again another brilliant performance, but fair play to Josh, he put up a good fight.