Littler Survives Scare, Van Gerwen Ousted at World Matchplay

Teen Sensation Battles Back as Rock Claims Major Scalp

Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler narrowly avoided an early exit at the World Matchplay, mounting a dramatic comeback to defeat Jermaine Wattimena 13-11 and advance to the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, three-time champion Michael van Gerwen has been eliminated from the prestigious tournament following a stunning upset by Josh Rock.

Littler Roars Back from the Brink

The World Champion found himself in deep trouble against the Dutchman, falling behind 4-0 and later trailing 7-2. A fired-up **Littler** rallied after the interval, winning six consecutive legs. The match went to a tense tie-break, where **Littler** admitted nerves showed as he missed two match darts. However, he held his nerve on the third attempt to seal victory.

“When I pointed to the star on my shirt, I’m a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it. I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship. I was a bit nervous and it’s on to my third game here, I’ve won two of them. I want to get back on stage and right now I can’t wait to be in the quarter-final.”

—Luke Littler, World Champion

Rock Stuns Van Gerwen in Thriller

In a dramatic encounter, **Josh Rock** sent **Michael van Gerwen** crashing out of the tournament. **Van Gerwen** started strongly, building a commanding 5-1 lead and later holding a 9-6 advantage. However, **Rock** produced a brilliant 152 checkout to close the gap and seized the momentum, taking the lead for the first time with two successive legs. **Van Gerwen** required a crucial 138 checkout to stay alive but **Rock** maintained his composure to secure the win.

“I kept my emotions, I think, throughout the game. I don’t know what was going on but I got into the game at the end. One of the most dramatic, my heart was pumping throughout the whole game. The stress has finally gone. What a game.”

—Josh Rock

The World Matchplay often sees dramatic shifts in momentum, with Michael van Gerwen having previously experienced similar high-pressure defeats.

Price Dominates, Gilding Sets Up Littler Clash

Elsewhere, **Gerwyn Price** advanced comfortably to the quarter-finals with an emphatic 11-3 victory over **Chris Dobey**. The Welshman delivered a superb performance, averaging 108.7 and hitting eight 180s. **Andrew Gilding** will face **Littler** in the last eight after his 11-5 win against **Dirk van Duijvenbode**.