Luke Littler powers past Dirk van Duijvenbode to reach World Matchplay final

Luke Littler dismantled Dirk van Duijvenbode 17-5 to book his place in the final of the World Matchplay in Blackpool, where he will meet Gerwyn Price.

Double 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.

Littler 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.

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Van Duijvenbode had beaten Michael van Gerwen and then 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.

Littler 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.

After 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.

“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.

“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.”

Littler, 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