In a stunning display of precision and skill, Luke Littler etched his name into darts history with a breathtaking nine-darter during his semi-final clash against Josh Rock at the World Matchplay. The 18-year-old world champion, who was trailing 6-1 at one point, turned the match around with this extraordinary feat, eventually securing a 17-14 victory to set up a final showdown with James Wade.

The Nine-Darter That Changed the Game

Littler's nine-darter, achieved with 15 perfect darts, is already being hailed as one of the greatest legs in the history of the tournament. The young prodigy, who had been struggling early in the match, found his rhythm after this pivotal moment. "It definitely sparked me into life. I didn't want to give it big because I was playing awfully," Littler admitted after the match.

James Wade's Epic Semi-Final Victory

On the other side of the bracket, James Wade battled through an epic 38-leg encounter against Jonny Clayton to reach his seventh World Matchplay final. Wade, who last won the tournament 18 years ago, showed remarkable composure to clinch a 20-18 victory after Clayton had fought back from 16-10 down to force overtime.

The Road to the Final

Littler, who has already claimed the Premier League and World Championship titles in the past year, is now eyeing the Triple Crown. A victory on Sunday would make him only the fifth player in history to achieve this feat, joining legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.

Match Stats and Records

• Littler averaged 107.5 in his match against Rock, with 15 maximum 180s.
• The total of 29 maximums in the match set a new World Matchplay record.
• Wade edged Clayton with an average of 101.79 and a 55.6% checkout success rate.

Looking Ahead to the Final

The final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Littler looking to continue his meteoric rise in the sport, while Wade aims to add another major title to his illustrious career. The stage is set for a classic showdown at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Sunday's World Matchplay Schedule

• Women's World Matchplay: Quarter-finals and semi-finals (13:00 BST)
• Men's Matchplay Final: James Wade v Luke Littler (20:15 BST, best of 35 legs)

Don't miss what promises to be an unforgettable night of darts action!