Luke Littler took another step towards an astonishing success as he continued his stunning run at the World Darts Championship with a dominant quarter-final win over Brendan Dolan.
The 16-year-old's hopes of lifting the Sid Waddell trophy received a further boost hours later too, as tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen fell to a shock defeat against Scott Williams.
The Dutchman was never at his best and was made to pay for some poor finishing as Williams held his nerve to secure a 5-3 victory and the biggest win of his career.
It is still Littler likely to keep dominating the headlines though. He has taken Alexandra Palace by storm and is now the youngest ever semi-finalist after he beat Dolan 5-1 in the last-eight.
It was a new year but the same brilliance from the precocious Littler, who is on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time.
LITTLER IS INTO THE LAST FOUR!! 👏
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024
It's another RIDICULOUS display from Luke Litter as he averages 101.93 in a demolition of Brendan Dolan!
The 16-year-old STORMS into the Semi-Finals at Alexandra Palace...
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/19q8vtjDq8
A semi-final against 2018 winner Rob Cross is next up, with Littler the second-favourite behind Luke Humphries to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on Wednesday.
"Wow, I’m in the semi-final on my debut. I am glad to get here, I’ve earned it," Littler told Sky Sports.
"I threw in another ton-plus average with my doubles 47 [per cent], so it’s gone well today.
"If I keep it up I’ve got a good chance [of winning]. I am dreaming, I’m two games away. I am definitely thinking about lifting the title."
The debutant has already proven he is ready to compete on the biggest stage after taking out UK Open winner Andrew Gilding and his hero Raymond van Barneveld on his way to the last eight and he maintained that form against Dolan.
Dolan took out 101 in the opening leg to break Littler's throw, but from then on it was one-way traffic. Littler went about his business in his usual manner and eased into a 4-0 lead.
A whitewash was on the cards, but Dolan took out 118 to finally get on the board. It was just a stay of execution, though, as Littler came back to see out a memorable win.
He will meet Cross in the final after the 2018 champion produced one of the most memorable Alexandra Palace comebacks.
Cross looked dead and buried when he was 4-0 down after barely 45 minutes as Chris Dobey played one of the matches of his life. However, the off-stage break worked wonders for Cross as the former electrician sparked into life.
He reeled off four sets of his own and then took out 130 to seal a famous win, but Cross knows he will have to improve if he is to stop the Littler train.
"Everyone loves an underdog story," he said. "As the public and people looking at the game, everyone loves an underdog story.
"I am not being rude, I am on his side, I love an underdog story. It took a bit of pressure off me winning it first time as well.
"He's fantastic and he deserves all the luck in the world, he is a nice young boy. Tomorrow we play darts, though, and I have to go down to business."
WILLIAMS STUNS VAN GERWEN TO REACH LAST FOUR!!! 🤯
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024
The biggest win of his career and a HUGE shock from Scott Williams as he beats Michael van Gerwen to reach the Semi-Finals! 👏
The wait for a fourth world title for MvG goes on ❌
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/FW8wsRUoli
There will be no Van Gerwen in the other semi-final, after Williams' sensational upset. The 33-year-old was knocked out in the second round of his only previous appearance at the World Championship, but ruthlessly took advantage of an off-night from Van Gerwen.
"Michael is probably the best in our generation - to be here is crazy ridiculous," Williams said.
"He wasn't the Michael van Gerwen you have seen over the last two or three games. I don't really care, because I beat him. I was just happy to be here again for another day."
Williams will face Humphries in the last-four, after the pre-tournament favourite eased to a 5-1 win over Dave Chisnall.
