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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Press Association Sport Reporters

Luke Littler fights back against Danny Noppert to continue UK Open title defence

Luke Littler progressed to the UK Open semi-finals (David Davies/PA) - (PA Wire)

Luke Littler continued his UK Open title defence with a 10-6 quarter-final win over Danny Noppert at Minehead to move into Sunday night’s semi-finals.

Noppert stormed ahead to take a 3-0 lead before the world number one replied and hit a 10-darter to level the match at 4-4.

At 5-5 Littler began to take charge and went on to claim three successive legs, which included a 161 checkout finishing on the bullseye in the 13th after Noppert missed the bull for a 130 checkout.

Luke Littler has reached the UK Open semi-finals (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)

The 19-year-old then hit an 11-darter before booking his spot in the semi-finals with an 81 checkout, averaging just over 104 in the process.

Littler will face Josh Rock in the semi-finals after he came from behind to beat Krzysztof Ratajski 10-7 in their quarter-final.

A close encounter saw Rock hit a 130 checkout to remain on Ratajski’s heels, but the Polish player continued to impress and took a 6-4 lead.

However, Rock turned the contest around, winning six of the last seven legs to finish with an average of 99 as he reached the semi-finals.

Three-time UK Open winner James Wade edged into the final four after beating Rob Cross 10-9.

Wade missed a match dart of double 20 and Cross capitalised to take the match to a decider, where the former clinched a 107 checkout and will face Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals.

Price booked his spot in the last four with a 10-8 victory over Jonny Clayton in an all-Welsh quarter-final clash and clinched the win with a 42 checkout.

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