{"success":true,"data":{"id":"4265d7b1-fada-4fa2-ba7a-41d7c1e8cd10","title":"Luke Littler powers past Dirk van Duijvenbode to reach World Matchplay final","summary":"US Edition Change Support Now × \"Clear search box\") Custom Search Sort by Relevance Date NewsNews SportsSports CultureCulture LifestyleLifestyle MoneyMoney TravelTravel PremiumPremium ClimateClimate More More Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site t...","content":"US Edition Change\n\nSupport Now\n\n[×](javascript:void(0) \"Clear search box\")\n\nCustom Search\n\nSort by\n\nRelevance\n\nDate\n\n*   News[News](https://www.independent.co.uk/us)\n\n*   Sports[Sports](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport)\n\n*   Culture[Culture](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment)\n\n*   Lifestyle[Lifestyle](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style)\n\n*   Money[Money](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/money)\n\n*   Travel[Travel](https://www.independent.co.uk/us/travel)\n\n*   Premium[Premium](https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium)\n\n*   Climate[Climate](https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change)\n\nMore\n\nMore\n\n### Thank you for registering\n\nPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in\n\n# Luke Littler powers past Dirk van Duijvenbode to reach World Matchplay final\n\n## Littler was in imperious form at the Winter Gardens as he set up a final meeting with Gerwyn Price.\n\n[Jim van Wijk](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/jim-van-wijk)Saturday 25 July 2026 22:48 BST\n\n*   Copy link  \n*   Bookmark  \n\n## Bookmark popover\n\nRemoved from bookmarks\n\nClose popover\n\nopen image in gallery\n\nLuke Littler produced another relentless display at the Winter Gardens (Bradley Collyer/PA)(PA Wire)\n\n### Your support helps us to tell the story\n\nFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.\n\nAt such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.\n\nThe Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.\n\n**Your support makes all the difference.**\n\n[Luke Littler](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/luke-littler) dismantled Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 to book his place in the final of the World Matchplay in [Blackpool](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/blackpool), where he will meet [Gerwyn Price](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/gerwyn-price).\n\nDouble world champion Littler is aiming to defend his title at the Winter Gardens and has been in sublime form on the back of consistent heavy scoring and clinical finishing.\n\nLittler was soon on the front foot again in Saturday’s second semi-final, with a break of throw in the opening leg before racing into a 4-0 lead.\n\nVan Duijvenbode had beaten [Michael van Gerwen](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/michael-van-gerwen) and then [Gary Anderson](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/gary-anderson) to make the World Matchplay semi-finals for the first time. However, despite landing a 145 finish in the 11th leg, the Dutchman looked in danger of being swept aside as Littler put the hammer down.\n\nLittler then landed a 130 checkout to take a commanding 12-3 lead at the interval before moving to within one leg of victory by the time the players went off again.\n\nUndo\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/product-update/quickbooks-improvements-2026)[The QuickBooks updates small businesses asked for. QuickBooks | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/product-update/quickbooks-improvements-2026 \"The QuickBooks updates small businesses asked for.\")\n\nUndo\n\n[](https://www.searchresultoffers.com/)[New SUVs With Tiny Price Tags (Take A Look)SearchResultOffers | Search Ads | [Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)[Sponsored](https://popup.taboola.com/en/?template=colorbox&utm_source=eslmedia-theindependent&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=alternating-thumbnails-stream-1x4:Mid%20Article%20Thumbnails%20II:)](https://www.searchresultoffers.com/ \"New SUVs With Tiny Price Tags (Take A Look)\")\n\nUndo\n\nAfter missing five match darts in the next leg, Littler was then on a potential nine-dart finish before eventually taking out double 20 to wrap up another convincing victory, with a match average of 110 after landing 16 maximums.\n\nDirk van Duijvenbode had no answer to the world champion’s relentless high scoring (John Walton/PA)(PA Archive)\n\n“I saw the average on the screen at one point of 117, but it was another good performance, and it (the average) keeps going up,” Littler said on Sky Sports.\n\n“I said to Dirk ‘well played’, it was a good tournament for himself, he has made it to a major semi-final, so full credit to him.”\n\nLittler, who has now become the first player ever to pass £3million in prize money on the PDC rankings, added: “I was just more focused about the highest average, which I shouldn’t have, but I am always having a look, but we got the job done and it is back-to-back finals.\n\n“I want to keep winning and stay at the top, so I just have to keep going.”\n\nIn Saturday’s opening semi-final at the Winter Gardens, Price closed out a 17-10 win over world number three Gian van Veen.\n\nWelshman Price hit a 125 checkout to take a 4-1 lead at the end of the first mini-session. Van Veen then finally found some rhythm to reel off three straight legs with two breaks ahead of the next interval to close back to 6-4.","source_name":"The Independent","source_url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/luke-littler-gerwyn-price-blackpool-michael-van-gerwen-gary-anderson-b3021594.html","url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/luke-littler-gerwyn-price-blackpool-michael-van-gerwen-gary-anderson-b3021594.html","author":"Jim van Wijk","author_name":"Jim van Wijk","published_at":"2026-07-25T21:48:57.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-25T21:48:57.000Z","image_url":"https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/07/25/22/545106d0e0c7ef0314ff15c7b453f313Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzg1MTAxNTk5-2.84773375.jpg","category":"sport","topic":"sport","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":4,"word_count":739,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot","language":null}}