Luke Littler: Teenager stays on target for maiden World Grand Prix title after demolishing Mike De Decker

Luke Littler stays on target to win his maiden World Grand Prix title after the world champion dethroned defending champion Mike De Decker 3-0 on Thursday night on the Mattioli Enviornment.

Littler dumped out the Belgian star with a 170 end to finish victory, with De Decker not in a position to pose a problem because of a horrific efficiency on the outer ring, lacking 41 doubles in 11 legs.

Littler, who received a record-breaking 11-minute match to defeat highly-rated Dutchman Gian van Veen on Tuesday, produced one other ripsnorter of a efficiency to finish De Decker’s hopes of turning into the third participant to retain the coveted double-start crown – a feat solely achieved by Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.

Within the first set De Decker missed 19 darts for double-in with 18-year-old Littler crashing house a 15-dart leg to interrupt the Belgian for the lead.

The doubling-in woes continued to plague De Decker as ‘The Nuke’ prolonged his benefit aided by a 95 checkout to win the second set 3-1.

Littler accomplished a dominant efficiency in sensational fashion as he reeled in ‘The Huge Fish’ to ensure he made it by means of to each main quarter-final to this point this 12 months.

Littler: I can really feel a nine-darter coming

“I said to myself ‘let’s leave with a big one’,” Littler stated..

“Mike didn’t play his best so I had to jump on it and lead early. This tournament is brutal. We have seen some shocks but I had to do my job.

“I’m hitting the double 20 and as a participant you’ll be able to really feel that nine-darter coming…”

Story of the Tape

Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode rolled again the years by successful the primary two units in opposition to 2017 winner Daryl Gurney with out dropping a leg earlier than touchdown a spectacular 158-finish to win the match and attain his second World Grand Prix quarter-final since his run to the ultimate in 2020.

The Dutchman will tackle ‘The Ferret’ Jonny Clayton, who accomplished knowledgeable job on Luke Woodhouse 3-1 to safe his spot within the subsequent spherical for the second straight 12 months.

The 2021 champion averaged 85.67, hitting three 180s and 50 per cent on his checkouts.

Clayton stated: “It wasn’t the best game. We both struggled to get off. Luke missed a lot of doubles and gave me chances, so when that happens you have to take them and I think there’s luck on my side tonight and I had it.

“I would like a greater efficiency than that tomorrow. Dirk is taking part in nicely however I do know what I’ve to do.”

“I don’t see Jonny playing that poorly again [against Dirk van Duijvenbode in the quarter-finals],” stated Mardle. “He did sufficient to win however Luke might be bitterly disenchanted.

What’s taking place on Friday on the World Grand Prix?

The 2025 Boyle Sports activities World Grand Prix continues on the Mattioli Enviornment, Leicester, because the world’s high stars compete in one of many sport’s most prestigious tournaments.

Luke Humphries stays on target for a 3rd consecutive look in a World Grand Prix ultimate. Subsequent up for the 2023 winner is a conflict with rising Scottish ace Cameron Menzies within the final eight.

Gary Anderson, who superior into his first World Grand Prix quarter-final in 5 years, will lock horns with Dutch No 2 Danny Noppert – a semi-finalist in 2021.

Littler, who averaged nearly 106 in an impressive victory in opposition to Gian van Veen earlier than ending the reign of De Decker, will sort out 2020 champion Gerwyn Value or Northern Eire’s World Cup winner Josh Rock, whereas former champion Clayton meets former finalist Van Duijvenbode.

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