<｜strong｜>Triple Crown Drama Unfolds<｜/strong｜>
The 2025 World Matchplay quarter-finals delivered high-stakes entertainment as two rising stars carved paths to the semi-finals.
<｜strong｜>Luke Littler's Nerve-Wrenching Victory<｜/strong｜>
World #2 Luke Littler (103.91 average) clawed back from a 15-14 deficit to defeat Welshman Andrew Gilding (98.45 avg) 16-14. The 18-year-old sensation, ranked just behind champion Luke Humphries, showcased resilience under pressure:
<｜i｜>"The crowd wanted a thriller, and we gave them that last leg," Littler told Sky Sports. "Staying composed when he started winning legs back-to-back was crucial."
The match featured 18 maximum 180s from Littler, with both players exchanging lengthy rallies in a contest that kept 15,000 fans at Blackpool's Winter Gardens on edge.
<｜strong｜>Rock's Rout of Price<｜/strong｜>
Josh Rock capitalized on a rare off-day from 2023 runner-up Gerwyn Price, securing a 16-11 win with a career-best 104.02 average. The Northern IrishQualifier produced a match-winning 164 checkout in the decider, with Price struggling to match Rock's clinical finishing:
<｜i｜>"When you're up against the world's best, you have to trust your process," Rock explained. "Gerwyn's in incredible form, so beating him gives me real confidence."
Notably, both finalists in last year's final (van Gerwen and Price) exited in the quarter-finals, leaving the door open for younger talents.
<｜strong｜>Saturday's Semi-Final Lineup<｜/strong｜>
• Littler vs Rock – A potential all-English final awaits, with both averaging over 100 in this stage
• James Wade vs Jonny Clayton – The remaining quarter-finals pit England's top qualifier against Wales' reigning Premier League champion
Current world rankings suggest Littler (2) and Rock (6) could meet in the final, potentially recreating last year's thrilling final. The tournament continues to showcase dramatic comebacks, with seven of the nine quarter-final matches decided by single-leg margins.
Key stats:
- Littler: 18 ton+ scores, 23% checkout success
- Rock: 14 180s, 85% first leg win rate
- Price: 12.3% missed doubles in deciding set
The Winter Gardens atmosphere promises to reach fever pitch Saturday, with both semi-finals scheduled for prime-time viewing.
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