Preview World Grand Prix Saturday night: Littler-Clayton leads semi-final line-up as Humphries faces Noppert

The World Grand Prix 2025 continues Saturday night with the semifinals. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler lead the way - the numbers one and two in the world - still have a chance of final victory in this prestigious major.

The format for the World Grand Prix is exactly the same as in the previous round. The matches will still go to best-of-5 sets, meaning a player must win three sets to secure a spot in the semifinals.
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The World Grand Prix is one of the most unique tournaments on the calendar at the PDC. This is because the legs not only end with a double, but must also be started with it. Also, the tournament is finished with a set system.

The event was first introduced in 1998 and back then it was Phil Taylor who won the World Grand Prix to his name. The English darts legend would eventually win the tournament 11 times. Of the active players, Michael van Gerwen won the double-in double-out tournament the most often. Indeed, "Mighty Mike" got to lift the trophy six times. Mike de Decker began as the defending champion at the World Grand Prix, after finishing off Luke Humphries in the final at the 2024 edition. However, the 29-year-old Belgian will not extend his title this year after losing 3-0 to Luke Littler in the previous round. Below we give you a preview of the semifinals.

Luke Humphries continues to set the standard in modern darts. Since his incredible run of major victories in 2023 — which saw him lift the Grand Slam of Darts, the Players Championship Finals, and the World Darts Championship — the world number one has become the benchmark for consistency and composure. ‘Cool Hand Luke’ plays with a mix of calm authority and clinical precision. His rhythm is measured, his throw economical, and his mental resolve almost unshakeable. Where others struggle to find that first double in the World Grand Prix format, Humphries radiates composure.

In Leicester, he once again showed exactly why he sits at the top of the world rankings. His 3–1 quarter-final victory over Cameron Menzies was as dominant as it was assured. High scoring, solid finishing, and complete control — the ingredients that have come to define Humphries’ game. Having won this tournament in 2023 and finished runner-up last year, the 30-year-old looks primed for another title challenge — one that would further cement his place at the summit of world darts.

But standing in his way is Danny Noppert — and anyone who knows the Dutchman knows underestimation is a dangerous mistake. The quiet, grounded Frisian isn’t one for big celebrations or bold statements; he simply lets his darts do the talking. Beneath that calm exterior lies a player with nerves of steel and impeccable timing, as he demonstrated with his superb quarter-final win over Gary Anderson.

Noppert has quietly become one of the sport’s most dependable performers. His approach may not have the flair of Humphries’, but it’s every bit as effective. Methodical, disciplined, and ruthlessly efficient, Noppert builds his legs carefully and capitalises on every opportunity that comes his way. In a double-start format, where every missed dart can prove costly, that level of control could prove decisive.

The big question is whether Noppert can handle Humphries’ relentless pace and scoring pressure. Humphries thrives on rhythm, while Noppert prefers to take his time. For the Dutchman, a strong start will be crucial — because once Humphries finds his stride, stopping him becomes a near-impossible task.

When Luke Littler takes to the stage, it’s easy to forget he’s still only 18. What the teenage sensation has achieved in such a short space of time borders on the extraordinary. From a young prodigy entering his first World Championship with little expectation, to a multiple major winner and the world number two, Littler has rewritten the sport’s timelines. He plays with a swagger and confidence usually reserved for seasoned champions — and, perhaps most impressively, appears utterly unfazed by the pressure.

His path to the semi-finals hasn’t been entirely smooth, but each time he’s faced adversity, he’s found a way through. Against Gerwyn Price, he survived multiple match darts before producing a stunning comeback to seal victory. Littler’s combination of raw scoring power and fearless determination makes him one of the most explosive players in the field. Where others stumble on the opening double, he often pins it first dart — and once he’s in, the trebles start to flow. His ability to seize control of legs in an instant is a huge weapon in the World Grand Prix’s unique double-in, double-out format.

Jonny Clayton, however, represents a very different kind of challenge. The Welshman is the epitome of experience, patience, and composure. Over the years, he’s proven that when he’s on song, he can beat anyone in the world. Behind his unassuming smile lies a fierce competitor — one who never backs down from a battle.

Clayton’s biggest strength is his timing. He has an uncanny ability to manage the pace of a match, knowing exactly when to accelerate and when to slow things down. His finishing is typically rock-solid, and in a tournament where every leg begins and ends on a double, that reliability is priceless.

‘The Ferret’ already knows what it takes to win here, having lifted the World Grand Prix trophy in 2021. Littler may start this semi-final as the favourite, but Clayton has made a career out of upsetting the odds. Dismissing him would be a dangerous mistake.