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Littler’s nine-darter surge
Luke Littler threw a nine-darter and beat Nathan Aspinall 11-8 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool to book his place in the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay.
“- Published World number one Luke Littler threw a thrilling nine-darter as he booked his place in the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay with a 11-8 win over Nathan Aspinall”
The BBC said Littler began the contest with a perfect leg finishing on double 15, and it noted he had double 15 remaining for a second nine-darter in the fourth leg before his arrow landed just the wrong side of the wire.
Littler’s 113.68 average, with a total of 14 180s, was described by the BBC as the second highest in the tournament’s history.
The BBC added that when Aspinall missed tops in the 19th leg, Littler checked out 52 to seal victory and advance to face Josh Rock.
Sky Sports’ session schedule also placed Littler’s route through the event, listing his second-round match as Luke Littler 11-8 Nathan Aspinall on Tuesday July 21.
Crowd, quotes, and exits
After the match, Littler told Sky Sports, "The nine-darter just happened. These guys [the crowd] were booing me at the beginning and then they started cheering me on!"
The BBC also quoted Littler saying, "It felt amazing and that was probably the best game Nathan and I have played against each other - it's never over against Nathan because he never gives up."
In the same quarter-final picture, the BBC reported that Michael van Gerwen’s campaign ended as he suffered a 14-12 defeat to fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode.
The BBC said Van Gerwen battled back from 8-4 down to level the match at 10-all, but Van Duijvenbode closed out the contest.
The BBC further reported that Scotland’s Gary Anderson progressed to the last eight with an 11-7 win over Welshman Jonny Clayton.
What’s next in Blackpool
The BBC said Littler will face Josh Rock, who impressed in a 11-6 victory over Stephen Bunting, with the pair meeting in last year’s Matchplay semi-final.
“World Matchplay Tuesday evening session Round-Up | Nine-dart hero Luke Littler hits 113 average to down Aspinall, Van Gerwen falls and Anderson rises PDC by Samuel Gill Wednesday, 22 July 2026 at 00:29”
Sky Sports’ schedule confirmed the quarter-finals as Thursday July 23 (8pm*), Friday July 24 (8pm*), and Saturday July 25 (8pm*), before the World Matchplay final on Sunday July 26.
Sky Sports also listed the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay on Sunday July 26 at 8pm*, alongside the men’s final draw and the Afternoon Session (1pm-5pm).
For the men’s final draw, Sky Sports listed Luke Littler v Niko Springer and Nathan Aspinall v Joe Cullen, as well as Michael van Gerwen v Andrew Gilding and Gary Anderson v Ryan Joyce.
The BBC’s tournament context framed the World Matchplay as a 32-player event at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with the quarter-finals and beyond set after Littler’s 11-8 win over Aspinall.
