Luke Littler fought back from the brink to deny Gerwyn Price in an astonishing quarter-final tie at the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix in Leicester on Friday.
Littler overturned a two-set deficit to topple 2020 champion Price in a contest littered with drama, converting a magical 152 finish in a deciding-leg thriller to preserve his title hopes at the Mattioli Arena.
The World Champion was staring down the barrel of a straight-sets defeat against a fired-up Price, before briefly banishing his doubling woes with a 107 average in set three to halve the deficit.
Littler then survived three match darts to restore parity in the fourth, having summoned up a skin-saving 154 checkout just moments prior.
The Warrington wonderkid continued his charge to lead 2-0 in the fifth and decisive set, only for Price to hit back with a brilliant 156 outshot to set up a fascinating last-leg shoot-out.
Both players failed to pin a starting double with their first visit in the decider, but with Price poised on a potential two-darter for victory, Littler had the final say, converting an astonishing 152 to complete the comeback.
“What a strange game,” claimed Littler, who will take on 2021 champion Jonny Clayton in Saturday’s semi-finals.
“When I was 2-0 down, I just said to myself: ‘It’s now or never. You have to switch on!’
“In that last leg we were both feeling the nerves and both giving it a little bit, but I’m just so glad I was able to hit that winning double.”
Clayton raced through to the last four following a straight-sets demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode, converting a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts in sweeping aside the 2020 runner-up.
Van Duijvenbode won the opening leg of the contest before Clayton rattled off nine without reply, producing 112, 118 and 130 combinations to cap off a finishing masterclass.
“I knew I had to produce something close to my A-game tonight,” insisted Clayton, who has reached the semi-finals of every televised ranking event this season.
“Dirk and I are big mates backstage. He’s a character and a great player, so I’m glad to get over that line.
“I’ve got a smile on my face. It’s going to be a difficult game tomorrow, but I’m still here, so watch out!”
Clayton will be joined in the semi-finals by 2023 champion Luke Humphries, who overcame the challenge of Cameron Menzies to advance to a third consecutive World Grand Prix semi-final.
The world number one fended off a blistering mid-game burst from the Scot to complete a 3-1 success, averaging 91, landing five 180s and pinning 46% of his attempts at double in the process.
“I felt amazing tonight," declared Humphries, also last year's runner-up.
“I thought my scoring was brilliant. My doubling-in wasn’t as good, so now I’m just waiting for them both to click together.
“I’ve slowed my throw down recently and I feel really relaxed. I always strive for more, and maybe this is a new version of me starting to come out.”
Humphries will take on Danny Noppert for a place in Sunday’s showpiece, after the Dutchman advanced to his second double-start semi-final with a 3-1 victory over 2016 runner-up Gary Anderson.
Anderson drew first blood courtesy of a majestic 158 finish on the bull, although Noppert fought back superbly, wrapping up victory with a clinical 92 kill after the Scot had missed a dart at tops to force a final set.
“I am speechless,” admitted the former UK Open champion, who pinned 11 of his 18 attempts at a finishing double to triumph.
“It was a rollercoaster of a game, but I’m really happy to be in the semi-finals!
“What a game it was. I felt really nervous at times, but it was a great finish at the end!”
The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix continues with a bumper night of semi-final action on Saturday, as Humphries takes on Noppert in the evening's opener, before Littler and Clayton renew their rivalry on the big stage.
The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
Click here for match stats & results.
2025 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Friday October 10
4x Quarter-Finals
Danny Noppert 3-1 Gary Anderson (2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-2)
Jonny Clayton 3-0 Dirk van Duijvenbode (3-1, 3-0, 3-0)
Luke Littler 3-2 Gerwyn Price (1-3, 0-3, 3-0, 3-2, 3-2)
Luke Humphries 3-1 Cameron Menzies (3-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0)
Saturday October 11 (2000 BST)
Semi-Finals
Luke Humphries v Danny Noppert
Luke Littler v Jonny Clayton
Best of Nine Sets