Luke Littler kept his World Matchplay title defence on track on Thursday, beating Josh Rock 16-7 to reach the semi-finals at the Winter Gardens.
The result sent the world number one into the last four after another powerful display, and it also extended a stretch of high scoring that has made him difficult to stop. Earlier in the tournament, Littler posted averages of 109, 113 and 109 across three consecutive matches, and he added a 101.24 average against Rock while landing 17 maximums.
That was enough to keep control of the match even though he admitted there were still some missed doubles. Littler said it was “another brilliant game” for him and noted that, while his finishing was not perfect, the scoring was doing the damage. He also pointed out that he can afford a few errors on the outer ring when the rest of his game is producing at such a high level.
The defending champion’s path has been built on sustained pressure. He moved through earlier matches with a 5-5 scoreline at one stage before pulling clear, then added a 12-5 result, a 13-6 result and now the 16-7 win over Rock. Across that run, the pattern has been the same: strong averages, big scoring bursts and enough control on the doubles to stay ahead.
Van Duijvenbode next
Littler will now face Dirk van Duijvenbode in the semi-finals after van Duijvenbode beat Gary Anderson 16-13 on Thursday to reach a maiden semi-final at the Winter Gardens. Littler said the key will be to get ahead early and put his opponent under pressure rather than allowing the match to become a chase.
That approach fits the way Littler has handled the tournament so far. He has already shown that if he gets in front and keeps the scoring heavy, he can make opponents work for every leg. He said he feels very good at the minute and that everything is going to plan, with the next target to better a 109 average.
For van Duijvenbode, the run is a breakthrough moment in his own right. He described the feeling as very nice after getting past Anderson, a player he praised as one of the very best when his trebles are firing. With both players arriving in form, the semi-final now offers a direct test of Littler’s title defence against a first-time Winter Gardens semi-finalist.
The tournament continues on Saturday July 18 at 1900 BST, when the first round is scheduled in a best of 19 legs format. But for Littler, the immediate focus is clear: keep the scoring high, get in front early and try to move one step closer to another major title.
