PDC World Darts Championship favorite Luke Littler reached his second consecutive tournament final by beating Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the last four.
Littler averaged 106.15 before winning the first four sets at Alexandra Palace in London, including eight 180s and a 48% conversion rate in doubles.
LUKE LITTLER IS PERFECT FOR THE DOSED FINALS OF THE WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/B5prHiMbnq
– Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
In an admirably good-natured contest, the 17-year-old recorded 13,180 to help him hold off a spirited challenge from Bunting.
Immediately before the second semi-final, Van Gerwen produced an equally dominant display to secure his seventh semi-final victory of the tournament by defeating Chris Dobey 6-1.
Luke Littler is very good at darts.pic.twitter.com/8P8Z2JrrH6
– Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
Small versus Bunting
Littler was rarely troubled by world number eight Bunting, whose previous best performance at the event had been a run to the 2021 semi-finals.
The 39-year-old had darts to make it 4-2, but Littler’s most assured display yet quickly extinguished the Liverpudlian’s slim hopes of a comeback.
After losing to Luke Humphries in last year’s final, Littler appears to be peaking at the perfect time, with his final average of 105.48 his highest of the championship so far.
– Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
Van Gerwen waits for Littler
Van Gerwen, a three-time champion, ended a six-year wait to go all the way in the tournament, including a 158 in the sixth set, and will face Littler on Friday (20:00 GMT).
“It’s going to be amazing… there have been a lot of fantastic moments,” Van Gerwen said. Aerial sports. “The crowd loves it, the people at home love it – what more do you want? This is darts at the highest level and that’s what we want to do.
“We are still so far away [from winning]. I still have to fight. [Friday] It’s another day and the title is far away. This is what we must continue to tell ourselves.
The people’s champion ❤️ pic.twitter.com/C2xUSzKged
– Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
“I don’t want to make mistakes. I want to keep it that way. An average of 99 isn’t that bad. I’m happy with the performance… I was efficient.
“When I had to do things, I did it at the right time and that’s what you have to do to win games. There are always ups and downs but today I had the right mentality. Even when things didn’t go the way I wanted, I produced good things at the right times.
The final is confirmed! Michael van Gerwen faces Luke Littler tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports 🍿🎯 pic.twitter.com/cKKJI80Sa7
– Sky Sports (@SkySports) January 2, 2025
Littler versus Van Gerwen
Littler beat Van Gerwen 6-1 in the quarterfinals of the Czech Darts Open in October, winning despite the Dutchman averaging 112.19 in the match.
This is the highest losing average ever recorded on the European Tour, while Littler posted 110.57. Van Gerwen has a championship average of 99.75, with Littler 102.13.
