Littler powers past Rock to seal spot in World Matchplay semi-finals

[p]'The Nuke' posted an average close to 110 in an impressive display that saw him seize full control in the second half of proceedings.[/p][p]Both players were level at 5-5 until [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/littler-luke/0URN6Xks/"]Littler[/a] reeled off five legs in a row without allowing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rock-josh/xKxxNY1P/"]Rock[/a] a sight at a double.[/p][p][b]He extended that streak to seven with Rock stopping the rot, but the holds of throw were with Littler way out in front.[/b][/p][p]Littler's power scoring kept him going and the defending champion completed a fine performance by winning on his favoured double 10.[/p][embed guid="4718d0ce-94c0-4e35-aae2-600361797571" url="https://x.com/OfficialPDC/status/2080405640116064331?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]"Another brilliant game for myself," Littler told [i]Sky Sports[/i].[/p][p][b]"I have gone 109, 113, 109 again (match averages), so I have just got to keep it going.[/b][/p][p][b]"Fair play to Josh, he gave me a really good game there. I think it was the third session where I won all five legs.[/b][/p][p]"I kind of got myself into that lead and I just had to stay there and got the job done."[/p][p]Littler will maintain his title defence against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-duijvenbode-dirk/fVUrttSI/"]Dirk van Duijvenbode[/a] after the Dutchman managed to survive [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/anderson-gary/MyKZZS6r/"]Gary Anderson[/a] 16-13 to begin the night.[/p][p][b]The unseeded Van Duijvenbode led 15-8 and was one leg away from victory until former world champion Anderson won five on the spin, which included a 154 checkout.[/b][/p][p]Van Duijvenbode reset his focus, though, stepping up close out the quarter-final and shutting down Anderson's spirited fightback.[/p][embed guid="4e7499fc-6065-4c86-9e22-a2be61e579e4" url="https://x.com/OfficialPDC/status/2080388850841530674?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]Thursday's World Matchplay results[/h2][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/darts/anderson-g-MyKZZS6r/van-duijvenbode-d-fVUrttSI/?mid=trH6e7Zg"]Dirk van Duijvenbode 16-13 Gary Anderson[/a][/b][/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/darts/littler-l-0URN6Xks/rock-j-xKxxNY1P/?mid=0U8wo2WG"]Luke Littler 16-7 Josh Rock[/a][/b][/p]