Littler Advances
Luke Littler edges Nathan Aspinall to reach World Series quarter-finals in Amsterdam.
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Key Points
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Luke Littler said he struggled for confidence early in the match against Nathan Aspinall, but improved from 6-6 onward: “I only played well in the last session [from 6-6 onwards].”
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Littler and Aspinall’s contest followed a memorable World Matchplay meeting in July, when Littler threw a nine-darter in the opening leg of an 11-8 victory.
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Daryl Gurney completed Michael van Gerwen’s upset with his third dart at double 16 in the deciding leg, sending the top-seeded Dutchman out of his home tournament.
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Josh Rock reached the second round by beating Stephen Bunting 6-5, while Ryan Searle advanced with a more emphatic 6-2 win over former world champion Rob Cross.
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The Grand Slam’s group stage is identified as a potential danger to Littler’s perfect major season because of its short format, although he has won the event on his last two appearances and benefits from longer matches later in the tournament.
Luke Littler advanced to the World Series of Darts Finals quarter-finals in Amsterdam by narrowly defeating Nathan Aspinall 10-9, clinching the deciding leg with a 12-darter The Sun. The teenage sensation is chasing an unprecedented sweep of all PDC major tournaments in 2026 after winning six majors and two European Tour titles so far this year.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen suffered a shocking first-round exit, losing 6-5 to late replacement Daryl Gurney Sky Sports after missing six match darts. Littler will face Jonny Clayton in the quarters after Clayton beat Motomu Sakai 10-8, while Gerwyn Price meets James Wade, who edged Wessel Nijman The Sun.
Littler Battles Past Aspinall in Tight Opener
Littler admitted he lacked confidence early against Aspinall, struggling through the opening stages. "I only played well in the last session," Littler said, referring to legs 6-6 onward Sky Sports. The 19-year-old found his rhythm when it mattered most, delivering a decisive 12-darter in the final leg to secure the narrow victory.
This matchup came less than a year after Littler and Aspinall's memorable World Matchplay meeting in July, when Littler threw a stunning nine-darter in the opening leg and won 11-8 Sky Sports. Their Amsterdam clash showed how competitive these rivals remain at darts' highest level.
Van Gerwen's Shock Elimination Caps Wild Opening Round
Michael van Gerwen, the tournament's top seed and defending champion, crashed out in the opening round after an upset loss to Daryl Gurney Sky Sports. Gurney sealed the 6-5 victory with his third dart at double 16 in the deciding leg, sending the Dutch legend out of his home tournament.
Van Gerwen had six match darts but could not convert any, marking a disappointing start to the event Daily Star. Gurney, drafted in as a late replacement, will now face Ross Smith in the last-16 round of the quarter-finals.
Rock and Searle Advance in One-Sided Openers
Josh Rock reached the second round by edging Stephen Bunting 6-5 ESPN, while Ryan Searle dominated former world champion Rob Cross with a decisive 6-2 victory ESPN. Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen, Dirk van Duijvenbode, and Karel Sedlacek also progressed from the opening round.
The quarter-finals now set up mouth-watering clashes between darts' elite talent. Littler must navigate through Clayton, Price, and Wade to claim what would be his greatest achievement yet—winning every major tournament in a single calendar year.
Grand Slam's Short Format Poses Biggest Threat
Littler's bid for a perfect major season faces a potential stumbling block at the Grand Slam of Darts, which uses a short group-stage format that can favor hot hands over consistency ESPN. However, Littler has won the event on his last two appearances and benefits from longer matches later in the tournament.
If Littler wins Amsterdam, he will have claimed seven major titles in 2026. His youth and rapid improvement suggest he has the talent to achieve the unprecedented sweep, but deep fields and unpredictable short formats remain real dangers to his historic pursuit.
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