PDC World Darts Championship Round-up | Luke Littler produces phenomenal display as he defeats Cross in thriller

Luke Littler’s aspirations of a second world title took another positive turn after he defeated 2018 world champion Rob Cross 4-2 in the fourth round of the PDC World Darts Championship to confirm his spot in the quarter-finals.

In a repeat of the 2024 semi-final, both players were not up and running at their usual pace, especially Cross who missed his chances to make a more competitive set. He was broken straight away missing darts to hold, before Littler missed some of his own but remained unpunished due to Voltage not being anywhere near a finish. He managed to get a first leg by taking out 74 but the reigning world champion took out 70 to take the first set, averaging around eight points ahead of his opponent.

Cross got a break of his own at the start of the second set, taking out 109 before letting out a big roar. After Littler missed double seven, Cross punished him and went 2-0 ahead. A 65 checkout from The Nuke kept him involved but missed darts to stay in the set saw Littler lose his first set of this tournament on double 16.

A 13-darter on double 7 put Littler back on track. An 11-darter on tops followed with a 128 outshot on the bull a quickfire way of winning the third set and sprinting back in front, averaging over 125 in the set.

More missed chances continued to allow Littler steam ahead. Littler was averaging 104 but still there for the taking at times surprisingly, but only if Cross was flawless on the outer ring. While Cross’ level improved in the next set, Littler was rampant. The 18-year-old missed a set dart on the bull with Cross also failing to find that target but by some distance. Littler pinned double 10 before letting out a huge and passionate roar as he moved within another quarter-final.

A pair of holds opened up what would be the final set of the match. Cross had the darts for the set, and pinned the bull for a 126 checkout to move within one. Littler had been antagonised by the crowd throughout, but got the last laugh after he eventually got the job done. He survived a set dart from a resurging Cross on tops, finding that target to move within one before taking out 68 in three to win the match. He gave some to the crowd as he went off passionately celebrating after a hard-fought win. He averaged over 106 while finding 17 180's in one of the performances of the tournament. He will come up against either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski in the last-eight.

Josh Rock was a man on a mission in his third-round tie against Callan Rydz, defeating the two-time quarter-finalist 4-1 to finish off the last-32 action at Ally Pally.

It was a very tough night for Rydz, who was mourning the death of his grandfather. He was doing it for him, and looked towards the sky after clinching the first set and getting off to the best start. Rock was struggling on the outer ring, and was capitalised by the Englishman who broke on double eight for the set.

After they both got a leg on the board in the second set, Rocky went seven darts into the perfect leg, unable to find a second treble 20 to leave double 12. He wrapped it up on double 16 before Rydz also went seven darts into a rare nine-darter. He left double one after nine and pinned it for a terrific 10-darter. Two legs later, a satisfying bull was found by Rock who moved ahead for the first time in the contest.

It was a tight fourth set. Rydz went ahead twice and was looking to move the match level. Rock pegged him back twice before sailing ahead with an emphatic 83 outshot. As Rock moved within one leg of the match, a missed match dart opened the door for Rydz to force a last-leg decider. He took advantage of this with a 110 checkout before a 112 from the World Cup champion sealed his spot in the fourth round, and an upcoming tie against Justin Hood.

Ryan Searle has jumped back into the top 16 after being the first player to confirm his spot in the quarter-finals with a convincing 4-0 win over James Hurrell. Searle averaged a ton in the first set as he won a last-leg decider to sneak him ahead. Double 20 was getting a battering from both players, but especially from Searle who found his range on his favourite double early on. After missed doubles, he survived a 101 attempt from Hurrell to take the early advantage.

It was much more comfortable in the second set. After Hurrell missed four darts at double, Searle broke on double 10 before winning a third leg on the spin to move him within one of a two-set cushion. After Hillbilly missed the bull for a 90 checkout, Searle took out 109 on tops to race further ahead.

Heavy Metal grabbed a fifth consecutive leg before Hurrell almost comically tripped over the oche. He made up for it by getting a leg on the board. He had a great opportunity to break after sloppiness from Searle but Hurrell squandered his chances at tops. Searle held on double one. Hurrell then missed another five darts to clinch the leg before Searle managed to get the set over the line, moving him within one of a maiden quarter-final in the World Darts Championship.

He broke early in the fourth set on double four before a 14-darter on tops solidified his position. Double 19 was found from Hurrell which prolonged his tournament but it would all come crumbling down when tops was found yet again from Searle who progresses. He has dropped just 11 legs in this year’s tournament and is yet to drop a set.