World Darts Championship: Luke Littler beats Rob Cross and overcomes crowd boos to book quarter-final place at Alexandra Palace | Darts News

World number 1 Luke Littler has progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Darts Championship after beating former world champion Rob Cross 4-2 at Alexandra Palace.

Littler delivered another impressive performance as he looks to become the first player since Gary Anderson to win back-to-back world titles, averaging 106.58 and an incredible high of 17 to reach the last eight for the third year in a row.

The Nuke recovered from losing their first set of the tournament to win the next two and open up a 3-1 advantage, only for Cross to hit back by winning the next set with a superb 126.

Cross missed a dart that would have taken a thrilling fight to a final set decider, as Littler closed out the victory – after receiving boos from the crowd – to set up a quarter-final against either Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski.

“Can I just say one thing: you pay for the tickets and you pay for my prize money, so thank you for my money, thank you for booing me!” Littler said on stage after his victory. “It doesn’t bother me! Really, it doesn’t bother me!”

“It was hostile, no one wanted me to win. Once again, I proved them wrong. [title defence] is not yet within our reach, we must go to the final. I’m going to enjoy two days off and I’ll be back on New Year’s Day.”

Ryan Searle also advanced to the quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over James Hurrell, while the other match of the night – and the last of the third round – saw Josh Rock fight back from a set down to beat Callan Rydz 4-1.

Littler holds on to book his place in the quarter-finals

Littler had won his first three matches of his year’s tournament in straight sets and threatened to do the same when he broke Cross early on on his way to winning the first match, where “Voltage” failed to capitalize on the defending champion missing six darts at doubles.

Cross shot a 109 to break the throw before winning the second, leveling the match, but could do little as Littler cruised through the third set straight-legged and averaging 125.

Littler closed the third with a check-out of 128 and capitalized on Cross’s errors to win the fourth, only for the 2018 champion to win the fifth set with his biggest result of the match, then beat the world number 1 to advance 2-1 in the sixth set.

Cross failed to post an 82 that could have tied the contest, as Littler made a 10-dart hold on the highs before signing off for victory – where he broke this year’s record for most 180s in a match – with a 68.

“I just had to hold on, then Rob [Cross] broke me and I had to break him,” Littler added. “I just saw the stats at that time – I wasn’t thinking about anything – I just wanted to win the game.”

Searle overtakes Hurrell in last eight

“Heavy Metal” Searle continued his record of not losing a set at this year’s World Darts Championship by booking his first quarter-final appearance by beating Hurrell in another dominant display.

Hurrell missed a set dart on the highs as Searle pinched the opener in a deciding match, before Searle fired a check-out 109 on his way to wrapping up the second set in straight legs.

Searle only lost two more sets before winning the remaining two sets, meaning he will head into his quarter-final against Jonny Clayton or Andreas Harrysson has only lost 11 legs in his first four matches.

“Honestly, I thought it was bullshit!” Searle told Sky Sports. “To have a 100 average is huge. I don’t really know what happened next. I just threw a few darts and managed to win. We’ll take it and take a few days off now.”

Rock shoots in front of Rydz, moved

Rock paid tribute to Rydz’s grandfather, who died days before their match, after beating the Englishman to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2023.

Rydz was visibly emotional and looked up to the sky several times during an entertaining contest, where he won the first set before both players threw seven darts in a perfect leg during the second.

Rock produced an 11-dart break and responded to Rydz winning the next on 10 darts to win a deciding match in the final stage, leveling the contest, then won each of the next three sets to set up a last-16 encounter with Justin Hood.

“I was a man on a mission but I want to apologize to Callan and his family for the loss of his grandfather,” Rock said. told Sky Sports. “I’m here to do a job and I’ve done my job but I want to extend my condolences to the Rydz family.

“I think I had to go down a set to get going again. I’m not here to run up the numbers, I’m here to win the title. If I keep playing like I know I can, I can win the title.”

The afternoon session saw Nathan Aspinall collapse with a final set defeat against Kevin Doets And Charlie Manby beat Ricky Evans 4-2 to reach the fourth round, with Justin Hood also qualified after a 4-1 victory over Ryan Meikle.

What’s next?

The remaining six matches of the fourth round take place on Tuesday, with world number 2 Luke Humphries headlining the evening session against Kevin Doets after Michael van Gerwen takes on Gary Anderson in a highly anticipated contest.

The other match of the evening sees Charlie Manby take on Gian van Veen, while the afternoon session pits Luke Woodhouse against Krzysztof Ratajski, Jonny Clayton takes on Andreas Harrysson and Justin Hood takes on Josh Rock.

Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407). Stream darts and many other top sports with NOW.