Luke Littler Sets Up Gerwyn Price Final Clash at World Matchplay
Defending champion Luke Littler cruises into the World Matchplay final with a 17-5 victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode, setting up a title clash against Gerwyn Price.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Luke Littler defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 to reach the World Matchplay final.
- Littler has maintained an average above 109 across all four matches in the tournament.
- His tournament earnings have now surpassed the £3 million mark in the PDC order of merit.
- Gerwyn Price advanced by beating Gian van Veen 17-10 to book his spot in the final.
Defending champion Luke Littler powered his way into the World Matchplay final with a dominant 17-5 demolition of unseeded Dirk van Duijvenbode in Blackpool.
The world number one raced out to an 8-2 lead, initially averaging a staggering 117.10 which put him on course to break Phil Taylor's tournament match average record of 114.99. Littler later admitted that the prospect distracted him slightly, causing his level to drop marginally as he finished with an average just under 111. However, that leaves him in a strong position to surpass Taylor's overall tournament average record of 106.31, with Littler's current average sitting at 110.88.
The teenager's victory also means he has now amassed more than £3 million in the PDC's order of merit, putting him more than £2 million clear of world number two Luke Humphries. Furthermore, the run continues his remarkable form in longer-format matches, extending his winning streak to 28 consecutive victories in games with 20 or more legs.
"Me and Gez always have great games. Gez will want to try and get me into a roaring battle. As long as I can get into the lead that will be the thing."
Luke Littler
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Price faces a monumental task in the best-of-35 final, having never beaten Littler in a match containing more than 15 legs. Littler has won their past nine encounters, with Price's last victory against the prodigy coming in their opening meeting of 2026.
The World Matchplay is widely regarded as one of the most grueling and prestigious tournaments on the PDC calendar, heavily testing players' stamina and mental fortitude through its longer leg formats. Luke Littler's ongoing streak of 28 consecutive wins in matches lasting 20 or more legs highlights an astonishing level of consistency rarely seen in a teenager, presenting a massive tactical hurdle for any opponent attempting to outlast him over a 35-leg distance.
Source: BBC Sport
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