Luke Littler reaches World Darts Championship final after beating Rob Cross at Alexandra Palace | Darts News

Luke Littler, 16, strikes one win away from Alexandra Palace glory after crushing Rob Cross 6-2 in semi-finals; Littler will face Luke Humphries in final; We’re again at 7.30pm on Wednesday for the World Darts Championship final – stay on Sky Sports Darts

Teenager Luke Littler made it by means of to the World Darts Championship final after crushing Rob Cross to maneuver inside one match of a historic maiden title at Alexandra Palace.

Littler averaged 106.05, hitting 16 maximums and ton-plus finishes of 149, 142 and 132 en path to an impressive 6-2 victory towards 2018 winner Cross at the age of 16.

He will face one other in-form participant in Luke Humphries, who hit high gear to whitewash Scott Williams 6-0 within the second semi-final to turn into the brand new world No 1 and stretch his unbeaten run to 18 matches.

“No words! Crazy to think I’m in a World Championship final in my debut,” Littler instructed Sky Sports. “I used to be pleased profitable one sport however I may go all the best way!

“You’re taking part in Rob, he is a world champion and received on debut. Rob instructed me ‘God bless, you are a step away, do it’.

“I’ve just settled on the stage. It took me a few legs to settle in the game and once I found that rhythm I was good to go.”

Littler was greeted by the Warrington Wolves’ mascot throughout an electrifying walk-on, but it surely was Cross who stormed out of the blocks and edged a high quality set in a deciding leg with a 108.6 common.

It was the primary time Littler had misplaced the primary set within the match.

The teenager recovered from 2-1 down within the subsequent however an important 74 checkout within the deciding leg noticed him draw degree with a 101 common and 4 180s.

Cross, the 2018 champion, appeared flummoxed by Littler’s unimaginable accuracy on the treble 20 mattress and it wasn’t lengthy earlier than the 16-year-old moved forward by smashing in a surprising 142 checkout earlier than hitting the entrance.

Littler opened the fourth set with an 11-darter and he then struck a mammoth 149 on double 16 to maneuver 2-1 up in legs.

‘Voltage’ levelled and he then hit six excellent darts within the subsequent leg, but it surely was the world youth champion who prolonged his lead with an impressive 11-darter to maneuver 3-1 forward averaging 103.8 with 9 180s and 65 per cent on the doubles.

Cross, who made a exceptional comeback from 4-0 all the way down to beat Chris Dobey 5-4 of their quarter-final on Monday, pinned an unorthodox 138 checkout within the second leg of the fifth set.

Littler missed one set dart at tops to increase his lead, permitting former electrician Cross to pounce and shut the hole to 3-2 in units.

‘The Nuke’ wrapped up the sixth set 3-1 with a 107 common in comparison with Cross’ 91.58 to revive a two-set cushion with 14 maximums.

And Littler had one foot within the final when he closed out the seventh set by the identical scoreline, averaging 110.55 for units six and 7.

The teen star was toying with Cross and he raised the roof with a roof-raising 132 checkout leaving Cross shaking his head in sheer disbelief.

Littler wrapped up a historic win with a two-dart 80 out-shot to achieve Wednesday’s final towards three-time main champion Humphries.

Looking forward to the final, Littler added: “I’ll do what I’ve been doing. In the morning, go for a ham and cheese omelette, then come here have a pizza and then practice. That’s what I’ve done every day.”

Humphries produced a press release victory towards Williams with a 108.74 common, 14 180s, a breath-taking show on the doubles and a sensational six ton-plus finishes – together with a magical 170.

“It was amazing. I would never have imagined myself to be the world No 1. That is a special feeling. And to do it in style,” stated a delighted Humphries, who has scooped World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals titles since October.

“I’m really pleased with that performance. But, world No 1 can last for a couple months, World Champion is forever so I’ve got a really tough task tomorrow against Luke.”

Humphries is aiming to cap off a sensational 2023 marketing campaign by turning into solely the third participant – alongside Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen – to win 4 Premier TV titles within the area of 12 months.

Meanwhile, after Dennis Priestley received the inaugural World Darts Championship in 1993/94, Littler is now bidding to comply with within the footsteps of Van Barneveld and Cross, who each lifted the game’s largest title on debut.

How social media reacted to Littler’s win…

The sport’s largest occasion sees the final two gamers compete for the Sid Waddell Trophy and £2.5m in prize cash at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday evening. You can watch all of the motion stay on our devoted Sky Sports Darts channel.

Watch the World Darts Championship final on January 3, 2024 – stay on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW