Luke Littler is into the final of the 2025 UK Open ticking off another part of his resume after racing past Jonny Clayton in Minehead on Sunday night.
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Littler will face James Wade or Josh Rock in the final later tonight. Either we will get a brand new champion if Rock wins or it will be a three-time winner vs the favourite for the title. Clayton in losing 11-6 was superb to start the clash and kept on his coat tails but he fell away and Littler took advantage breaking and surging to the finishing line from there.
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To start the tie, it was very much level. Littler hit his scoring stride with three 180's to sit 2-1 up. After missed darts at double to go 3-1 up, Clayton was handed a gift which he snatched on double nine and Littler added a further leg from there. Littler hit double 10 for 3-2 going into the first break of the match.
It remained fairly level with Littler going 5-4 up after the break. Going into the next break, Clayton pinned double 20 for 5-5. On return from the break, Littler continued to be rock solid on the doubles hitting 52 for a 6-5 lead but the holds continued.
Clayton missed two darts at doubles to make it 6-6 and Littler pinned double 10 for 7-5 as he went into a two leg lead for the first time. Littler was 8-5 up with a 73 checkout to go a few away from the line. Clayton missed 113 but Littler missed two chances to go 9-5 up. Only for Littler to return for double six to make it 9-5.
Littler hit an 80 checkout to go one away having won all five legs in the mini session. A 70 checkout saw Clayton get a leg back but Littler was throwing for the match.
| Jonny Clayton | VS | Luke Littler |
|---|---|---|
| 95.61 | Average (3 Darts) | 106.62 |
| 21 | 100+ Thrown | 15 |
| 11 | 140+ Thrown | 16 |
| 2 | 180 Thrown | 10 |
| 126 | Highest Checkout | 124 |
| 1 | Checkout 100+ | 1 |
| 46.2 | Checkout percentage | 35.5 |
| 6 / 13 | Checkout | 11 / 31 |
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- Well,I suppose if you don't play the tournaments ,then why should any player qualify? There are players who enter every tournament,and if they don't win it,they carry on, spending money they haven't won,yet certain players seem to think they should qualify. Winners only I thinkrick6714-11-2026
- Everyone knows what a fantastic champion Taylor was,but his performances in the seniors were poor. He wouldn't throw littler off stage,as he'd miss these days!!rick6712-11-2026
- He produced some impressive numbers in that qualifying campaign. I'm excited to see him compete at the World Championship once again, even if it will be difficult to replicate last year's success even with an improved performance, with the draw playing a huge role in determining his fortunes.Deduce635811-11-2026
- I often think about this very question. I think they should revive the format. They could even invite representatives from MODUS Super Series, with four series winners from the past year, and the ADC, with finalists from the Global Championship and perhaps other events. Why not throw in eligible representatives from the JDC and even the soft-tip game too?Deduce635811-11-2026
- So what if littler missed out, he doesnt have to enter everythingant10-11-2026
- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
- Ultimately it is a bye for whoever draws Barney. It will be another stroppy and sulky performance once he goes behind. Barney was excellent but really must completely call it a day now.richieburnettrocks07-11-2026
- I'm disappointed he was not able to secure a spot at the Grand Slam. With Carl Sneyd taking care of Daryl Gurney, he would have had to beat Andy Boulton before facing the winner of Sneyd vs Mensur Suljović for a Grand Slam spot. Unfortunately, after beating Filip Bereza comfortably, he succumbed to Boulton, and the board would ultimately be won by the highly inconsistent Carl Sneyd. Since he could instead have been drawn against the likes of Cristo Reyes, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Stephen Bunting, I think once Gurney was out of the picture he would have been favourite to win his board, and it seems like a massive missed opportunity to put 5 grand on his ranking and seal another major TV appearance ahead of the Worlds. The highs and lows of following Raymond van Barneveld!Deduce635806-11-2026