In a heart-stopping encounter at the World Matchplay in Blackpool, Luke Littler showcased his championship mettle by overcoming Jermaine Wattimena in a 13-11 thriller. Despite a shaky start that saw him trail 7-2, Littler rallied back with six consecutive legs, demonstrating why he’s the reigning world champion. The match reached a tie-break, where Littler missed two match darts before sealing the victory with a roar of triumph, pointing to the star on his shirt—a symbol of his World Championship win.

Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen, a three-time champion, faced an unexpected exit after a gripping battle against Josh Rock. Van Gerwen started strong, taking a 5-1 lead, but Rock’s resilience turned the tide. A stunning 152 checkout by Rock narrowed the gap, and he eventually clinched the match in a tense tie-break, leaving Van Gerwen stunned.

In other action, Gerwyn Price dominated Chris Dobey with an 11-3 victory, averaging an impressive 108.7 and hitting eight 180s. Price’s performance was a masterclass in precision and pressure, setting him up as a strong contender for the title.

Andrew Gilding also secured his spot in the quarter-finals, defeating Dirk van Duijvenbode 11-5. Gilding, a former UK Open champion, continues to impress, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Littler.

The World Matchplay continues to deliver high-octane drama, with the quarter-finals promising even more thrilling darts action.