Luke Littler keeps PDC World Darts Championship title charge up and running surviving Ryan Joyce examination

Luke Littler will face Nathan Aspinall in the Quarter-Finals of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship in a blockbuster clash after seeing off Ryan Joyce 4-3 to end this years' darting entertainment in a 2024 dominated by 'The Nuke'.

But Littler did not have it all his own way by Joyce who has really started to hold his own and become a real nightmare for the top names but the tournament favourite found the edge down the stretch and will return in 2025 gunning for glory.

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It was a routine start to the tie for 'The Nuke' as he sealed the first set 3-1 with two 180's. Joyce though hit back producing a superb 116 checkout for a 12-darter in the deciding leg of the second set to draw level with 80% on the doubles.

But Littler averaged 108 in the third set to remain firm to the task at hand winning it 3-1 to go 2-1 up. Relentless kept on his coattails though as he hit 86 to seal the fourth set and level up again with a 97 average and 53% on the outer ring at 2-2.

Littler surged into a 3-2 lead winning the fifth set 3-1 and was on the verge of sealing the win or was he?

Littler was throwing for the match but Joyce left 92 to force a deciding set with Littler unable to do anything. But he missed two darts from 92 to send it all the way.

Littler missed 116 though for the win and Joyce returned to clinically take out double 16 for 3-3 and he was throwing in the final set.

But Littler threw out a statement to begin the final set. He went six darts into a perfect leg but set up 60 from 141. Joyce left 121 in case he returned but he didn't and Littler broke.

But Joyce hit 180 to leave 125 only for Littler to hit 180 to leave double 20. Joyce couldn't get the treble on the combination and Littler went 2-0 up.

Littler missed more match darts as Joyce pinned 56 to make it 2-1. But in the next leg, Littler hit 66 for the win showing a real show of emotion after a tricky test.

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