Grand Slam of Darts: Luke Littler goals for semi-final spot as ‘untouchable’ Gian van Veen faces Gary Anderson

Saturday’s Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals see teenager Luke Littler face Jermaine Wattimena, whereas two-time former world champion Gary Anderson performs Gian van Veen.

The match already has one semi-final line-up determined and it’s a shock one, with world quantity 45 Martin Lukeman taking up Grand Slam debutant Mickey Mansell.

Each gamers will function of their first main semi-final after Lukeman upset final yr’s runner-up Rob Cross, whereas 51-year-old Mansell received a nail-biter in opposition to Cameron Menzies.

So who will be part of Lukeman and Mansell within the final 4?

Jermaine Wattimena vs Luke Littler

Teenage sensation Luke Littler edged a last-16 thriller in opposition to Mike De Decker because the Nuke received six of the final seven legs to squeeze previous the World Grand Prix champion 10-9.

Littler’s defeat of the Belgian noticed him arrange a last-eight conflict in opposition to Jermaine Wattimena after the Dutchman fought again to beat Dimitri van den Bergh in a last-leg decider.

Sky Sports activities’ Wayne Mardle thinks Littler’s composure on the age of 17 is “not the norm” however believes De Decker may at some point elevate the World Darts Championship regardless of his heartbreaking defeat.

Mardle mentioned: “Mike didn’t buckle. The one dart at a bullseye, anyone can miss that. But once Luke found his rhythm and got closer and closer, it wasn’t as if Mike thought this is all too much.

“Luke simply did his job so nicely, and to have that composure, that perception at that age as nicely, it is not the norm. It is simply not.

“To supply what he did in that final leg, the three-figure pictures that he had, three of them on the bounce, after which the 86 end, a 12-darter at nine-all with the darts, Mike De Decker would have needed to have gone out in 9. That is how good it was.

“But Mike De Decker, even though he lost and he’s a reigning champ, he’s come out of this tournament with even more credit. He’s a potential world champion. He’s that good.”

Sky Sports activities’ Mark Webster praised the Premier League champion’s character within the victory over De Decker.

The Welshman mentioned: “It was a brilliant tie. De Decker got out in front and he missed some doubles at crucial times.

“However you credit score the character of Luke Littler to come back again at him. And when he acquired that chance to throw for the match, he actually grabbed it.

“A bit of despair for De Decker. He did have the one dart at a double – it was only a bullseye, but he can hold his head high. But for Luke Littler, it was a fantastic performance.”

Gary Anderson vs Gian van Veen

Saturday’s different quarter-final has been labelled as “fascinating” by Mardle with the skilled Anderson, in his seventeenth Grand Slam look, dealing with the in-form Van Veen.

The 22-year-old has averaged 100+ in his 4 victories, together with a median of 106 and 7 maximums in his last-16 win over Ryan Joyce.

The Dutchman’s red-hot performances are “championship-winning stuff” in line with Mardle, who thinks he seems “untouchable”.

Mardle mentioned: “Until someone’s won a major, there’s always that question mark of, ‘Are they good enough to win a major?’ He’s good enough. He’s already proven it game after game after game. This is championship-winning stuff. It’s even better than that.

“Nobody will get close to him if he continues to play like this. It is the truth that he is so good, it is a case of he’ll win it if that type continues.

“He’s the only one that’s looked untouchable. Everyone else has had a little bit of frailty at some point. Gian van Veen, none of it. It’s spectacular what he’s doing.”

The 51-year-old added: “I think the Gian van Veen and Gary Anderson game is fascinating.

“If Gian van Veen performs like this once more then what on earth? We predict that these report averages are simply set for sure folks like Gary Anderson, like Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor. No. Gian Van Veen is one other teen that believes he can rule the world and why not?”

However Anderson, who defeated Masters champion Stephen Bunting within the final 16, will probably be hoping to cease Van Veen and stay heading in the right direction for a maiden Grand Slam title having completed runner-up twice on the occasion.

Webster mentioned: “It’s some tie. I was impressed with both players in different ways. Obviously, for Gian he just continued that ridiculous scoring and just battering players into submission.

“He did it within the group and we’re like, ‘Okay, it is first to 5’. He is performed it first to 10 so we have got to begin taking this man severely for a tilt on the title.

“But with Gary Anderson, he did the damage with his finishing and he’s going to need that against Gian, but he’s got to score with him or he won’t get those opportunities.”

Grand Slam of Darts reside on Sky Sports activities

Dwell Grand Slam of Darts

Saturday sixteenth November 7:00pm

The final two quarter-finals of the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts happen on Saturday.

Luke Littler faces Jermaine Wattimena, whereas Gary Anderson and Gian van Veen face-off.

Watch reside protection from 7pm on Sky Sports activities Most important Event and Sky Sports activities+.