Historic moment as Littler roars into the World Grand Prix semi-finals
The World Grand Prix in Leicester produced one of the most memorable quarter-final battles in recent memory as 18-year-old Luke Littler overturned a 2-0 deficit to defeat Gerwyn Price in a dramatic deciding leg. The young English sensation landed a sensational 152 checkout in the final leg, sealing a standout victory over the Welshman and setting up a semi-final clash with Jonny Clayton.
Two-set deficit to a last-four fightback
Price, the 2020 World Grand Prix winner, started strongly and looked set to march into the semi-finals. He took the opening two sets with precision and confidence, leaving Littler with an uphill climb. But the trajectory of the match began to shift as Littler found his rhythm, using careful treble hitting and patient scoring to claw his way back into contention.
The turning point came in the middle of the match when Littler tightened up his doubles. Price, who had mounted pressure with three match darts at doubles in the fourth set, missed out, giving the teenager a lifeline to force a decider. The fightback demonstrated Littler’s nerve and maturity beyond his years, traits that are becoming hallmarks of his rapid ascent in the sport.
Price’s dramatic 156 finish and the decider
As the match entered the critical late stages, Price produced a dazzling 156 finish to snatch the set and push the match into a sudden-death leg. The decider carried the tension of a high-stakes shootout, with neither player able to establish a clear early advantage. Price, having the throw in the sudden death, looked to seize the initiative, while Littler aimed to capitalize on any opportunity that presented itself.
Clutch finish seals a sensational victory
In the deciding leg, both players struggled to find an opening double, and scoring remained relatively measured. Littler then delivered the play of the night, finding double 16 to complete a 152 checkout, securing one of the finest wins of his career. The moment was greeted with a mix of disbelief and celebration as Littler sealed the upset in front of a roaring crowd in Leicester.
What this means for Littler and the tournament
The victory confirms Littler’s status as a rising star in darts. The 18-year-old’s ability to flip a tight match on its head, combined with composure under pressure, bodes well for his semi-final against Wales’ Jonny Clayton. The clash will pit Littler’s daring, aggressive scoring against Clayton’s tactical experience, and it promises another chapter of high-quality darts at the World Grand Prix.
Quotes and aftermath
After the match, Littler spoke about the pressure and the pivotal moment that changed everything. “I just said that it’s now or never—you have to switch on, find those trebles and not stay on the wire for the entire match. I switched up, started going for double 16s and it worked in parts. Double 16 is the one that got me the World Championship and it’s always there to be hit.”
Price, ever gracious in defeat, acknowledged the quality of Littler’s finish and applauded the young Englishman as they shared a warm embrace on stage. The result adds a fresh storyline to the event, underscoring the excitement surrounding Littler’s rapid progress in the sport.
Looking ahead
As Littler prepares for a semi-final date with Jonny Clayton, darts fans will be keen to see if the teenager can continue his remarkable surge. The World Grand Prix 2025 remains wide open, and Littler’s win over a former major winner has already written a bold new chapter for Leicester’s tournament narrative.
