Grand Slam of Darts 2025 Roundup | Luke Littler recovers from 9-6 down to see off Josh Rock and set-up semi-final showdown with Danny Noppert in Wolverhampton

Luke Littler’s Grand Slam of Darts defence is still alive after a wild Saturday night in Wolverhampton, as the world champion dragged himself back from 9-6 down to beat Josh Rock 16-12 and book a mouthwatering semi-final showdown with Danny Noppert.

It was a session defined by one tight, momentum-shifting contest and one dominant display, with both results combining to set up a high-quality last-four meeting on Sunday.

Josh Rock started the stronger and repeatedly held the initiative as the match developed. He edged the early exchanges, averaged over 110 during a short burst midway through the contest and produced two key holds for a 9-6 lead at the final break.

The problem for Rock was what followed.

Littler steadied himself with a 74 finish and then punished a major opening when Rock missed three darts for 10-7. The world champion cleaned up 71 to break throw, and that single moment swung the entire match. Littler then levelled at 9-9, added a 90 on the bull for another break, and completed a five-leg surge to move 11-9 in front.

Rock responded with an 11-darter and later an 86 on the bull to stay in touch, but Littler controlled the closing stages. A two-dart 81 on double 15 moved him to 15-12, and he closed out the match shortly after to reach yet another major semi-final.

Rock leaves frustrated after letting a strong position slip, while Littler progresses with the type of measured recovery that has already become a hallmark of his game.

Danny Noppert delivered one of the most controlled performances of the tournament so far as he eased past Lukas Wenig 16-8.

The Dutchman broke early for 2-1, produced a tidy 76 checkout on the way to a 3-2 lead at the first break and steadily widened the gap from there. A 116 finish, followed shortly by a 140 checkout, helped him move clear, and he reached 8-4 after surviving a messy leg on the doubles.

Wenig’s best moment came with a 170 finish to cut the gap to 11-5, but Noppert responded immediately with a clinical 72 to stop any potential momentum. From there, the result was never in doubt. Noppert pushed out to 15-5 before Wenig produced a brief three-leg spell, including a 129 on the bull, to reduce the margin. It didn’t change the overall picture, and Noppert closed things out 16-8 with plenty in hand.

A 97.61 average, ten maximums and strong control of the middle section of the match underlined another assured display from the former UK Open champion.

Both players arrive in the last four with confidence for very different reasons. Littler survived a demanding test and showed composure under pressure, while Noppert looked in full command throughout his quarter-final.

It sets up a genuinely high-level semi-final on Sunday afternoon, with Littler’s firepower meeting Noppert’s consistency for a place in the Grand Slam final.