World Matchplay Darts: Luke Littler blows Josh Rock away and Dirk van Duijvenbode wins thriller against Gary Anderson to set up semi-final showdown

Luke Littler stormed into the semi-finals of the World Matchplay, thumping Josh Rock to set up a meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode, who came through a thriller against Gary Anderson. <p>Litter beat Rock 16-7 as he looks to become the first person to go back-to-back at this tournament since Michael van Gerwen a decade ago.</p><p>In what is turning into a tournament for the record books, Littler's stats impressed once again. He posted a 109.57 average with 17 180s and a 53 per cent success rate on the doubles.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/live-blog/27975/13566216/world-matchplay-darts-live-updates-video-analysis-scores-commentary-with-luke-littler-gary-anderson-josh-rock-in-action"><strong>World Matchplay Day Six: As it happened!</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/37278/13428768/darts-2026-schedule-and-dates-premier-league-darts-world-matchplay-and-more-with-luke-littler-in-action"><strong>Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results</strong></a> 📅</li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchDartsApp" target="_blank">Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app </a></strong>📱</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW</a></strong> 📺</li></ul><widget id="8"></widget><p>"Another brilliant game for myself. I've gone 109, 113, 109 again [averages] so I've just got to keep it going," Littler told <em>Sky Sports</em>.</p><p>"Fair play to Josh. He gave me a really good game there. I think it was the third session where I won all five legs.</p><p>"I kind of got myself into that lead and I just had to stay there and got the job done."</p><p>Littler and Rock met at the semi-final stage of this tournament just one year ago when Littler won an 18-15 epic, hitting a nine-darter on way.</p><p>However after a close opening 10 legs to get Thursday's match going, it was all Littler as he romped into another semi-final.</p> <widget id="9"></widget><p>Rock was in the zone early in the contest and matched every break of throw that was thrown at him, a 129 checkout from 'The Nuke' a highlight as the pair of young stars looked in a real battle at 5-5.</p><p>However, as is now customary from Littler, he took control in second session to reel off five legs in a row. Remarkably, Rock did not get a dart at double in that period.</p><p>He increased that dominance to seven legs in a row before Rock could stop the onslaught. Two holds of throw were all that the Northern Irishman managed as he sat 13-6 behind.</p><p>The final blow then came in the 23rd leg when the 19-year-old broke Rock's throw again as he cleaned up 44.</p><p>With that, the defending champion came to hold his throw and with his third match dart, took his favourite D10.</p> <widget id="6"></widget><h3><strong>Van Duijvenbode holds on after Anderson rally</strong></h3><p><strong>Van Duijvenbode</strong> held off a phenomenal fightback from Anderson in a 16-13 thriller to book a spot in the semi-finals in Blackpool for the first time in his career.</p><p>The Dutchman was 15-8 ahead, just one from victory, when Anderson roared back and averaged over 114 to take five legs in a row including a massive 154 checkout. It looked like he simply was going to pull off a miracle.</p><p>However, just when he needed it, Van Duijvenbode found his form to pin D10 for a massive win.</p> <widget id="3"></widget><p>"To be fair the break couldn't come at a worse moment. You just know Gary loves the game. He never gives up," Van Duijvenbode told <em>Sky Sports</em>.</p><p>"He's probably the best in the world when he hits the trebles.</p><p>"I expected [the 154]. He didn't miss, but I always think my opponent will hit it."</p><p>The Dutchman added: "At some point I felt nerves in my stomach."</p> <widget id="5"></widget><p>The opening session went the way of Van Duijvenbode, with the Dutchman finding two breaks of throw and finishing off the five legs with a 107 checkout to romp into a 4-1 lead.</p><p>The second session was similar to the first and when Van Duijvenbode found another break of throw and followed it with a clutch 112 checkout, it was looking ominous for Anderson with his opponent 8-3 ahead.</p><p>Anderson had work to do and he got going by taking out three legs on the spin, including a clutch bullseye finish for 84, to get back into the contest.</p><p>Van Duijvenbode stopped the rot with a hold of throw but had been reeled back into a contest at 9-6.</p> <widget id="4"></widget><p>That was until Van Duijvenbode came back out on fire while the Flying Scotsman fell away in the next session with the Dutchman taking all five legs.</p><p>Anderson's throw was broken three times with a miracle looking the only option for the former world champion as he sat 14-6 behind.</p><p>And so nearly did a miracle occur. Anderson showed just he is one of the greats of the game, but Van Duijvenbode found the singular moment he needed to finally get over the line.</p> <widget id="2"></widget><h3>What is happening on Friday at the World Matchplay Darts?</h3><p>The quarter-finals continue on Friday at the World Matchplay, live from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Main Event and Action.</p><p>Gian van Veen and James Wade will do battle in the quarter-finals for a second year in a row, with the world No 3 looking to avenge his loss to 'The Machine' in 2025.</p><p>Then, Gerwyn Price faces Ross Smith. Smith is through to the quarter-finals after Cameron Menzies withdrew from their second round match in the fourth leg due to illness.</p> <widget id="1"></widget><p><strong>Who will win this year's World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. </strong><a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>Stream darts and more top sport with NOW</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>