Luke Littler took another huge step towards defending his World Championship title as he thrashed Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0 at Alexandra Palace to reach the semi-finals.
Littler may not have been at his electrifying best but an average of just over 100, 10 180s and four ton+ checkouts including the Big Fish was more than good enough to storm through for the loss of just five legs.
THE BIG FISH 🎣
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 1, 2026
Littler brings the house down with a stunning 170 checkout to take the opening set! pic.twitter.com/p9owGB5Q4f
The Nuke has averaged over 100+ in 14 of his 18 matches on this stage since making his debut - including four of his five matches in this edition - and his only defeat remains the 2024 final against Luke Humphries.
Luke Littler has now averaged over 100 in 14 of his 18 matches at the Ally Pally and he's still not finished his third World Championship. Here's how that compares to everyone else in history pic.twitter.com/ixQrRpquyE
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
“I didn’t feel comfortable tonight, but a win is a win,” claimed Littler. “I was changing the way I was holding my dart, but hopefully now I’m playing day after day, I will perform better tomorrow.
“I think that first set was crucial. I’ve not gone a set down in this tournament yet, and to win the set by hitting the big fish, it felt even better!”
Littler will next meet Ryan Searle, who brushed aside Jonny Clayton 5-2 to reach the semi-finals for the first time in his career.
Heavy Metal dropped his first sets of the competition and produced his lowest average so far of 92 but he was always in command of the contest as Clayton struggled on his doubles.
🤯 Ryan Searle won 17 sets in a row before Jonny Clayton ended his run! The record at a worlds is 22 by Phil Taylor in the 2002 edition.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
R1: 3-0, 3-2, 3-1
R2: 3-1, 3-0, 3-1
R3: 3-1, 3-1, 3-0, 3-0
R4: 3-2, 3-0, 3-1, 3-1
QF: 3–1, 3–0, 3–1, 1-3pic.twitter.com/cTanQhqpKp
“It’s a special feeling,” admitted Searle, who provisionally moves into the world’s top eight for the first time in his career and is in contention for Premier League selection. “My scoring wasn’t great today, but I felt like in the high-pressure moments, I was finding some really good finishes.
“There’s a lot of pressure on you and it’s hard to perform under that, but I’m proud of myself to get over the line and we’ll see where we go tomorrow.”
Ryan Searle talks about his fundraising efforts for the eyesight condition that affects him and his children, particularly his daughter.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
But it hasn't stopped him becoming a World Championship semi-finalist and no. 7 in the world 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/cHisPEJ8Hn
Van Veen stuns Humphries
Gian van Veen underlined why he he could be destined for a superstar future as he thrashed world number two Luke Humphries 5-1 with an average of 105 to set up a semi-final with his boyhood hero Gary Anderson.
The Dutchman, who won the World Youth title for the second time in a row back in November, reeled in the Big Fish in the fourth set to take full control as Cool Hand trailed in his wake despite a healthy average of 101 himself.
Gian van Veen, that was pure class 👌
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
This 170 checkout helped him beat Luke Humphries 5-1 with a 105 average! Destined for greatnesspic.twitter.com/EHt5nqpNxv
Van Veen hit 11 of the 21 180s but the finishing proved the decisive factor as he finned 16 of his 29 while Humphries only converted 11 of his 32.
“I am so over the moon - I’m so proud,” beamed Van Veen, who will become the new Dutch number one after this year’s tournament leapfrogging three-time World Champion Michael van Gerwen, who has held the position since 2012.
“I felt really, really good today. Luke is a fantastic player, and you know that you have to perform at your best to beat him.
“I always said the European Championship would be my best ever win, but this is probably the biggest win of my career. This feeling is indescribable!”
The victory also moved him into the world's top four meaning he will play in next year's Premier League for the first time.
"Is there a rule that the top four automatically qualifies for the Premier League?!"
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
Gian van Veen still can't quite believe he's going to be picked 😂 pic.twitter.com/ATwI45kLRW
Earlier in the day, Gary Anderson rolled back the years to end the fairytale run of Justin Hood with a comfortable 5-2 victory.
“The crowd today - I’ve never heard noise like it,” admitted Anderson, who averaged 99.44 and fired in a hat-trick of ton-plus finishes.
Gary Anderson wins but you've got to love the smiles of Justin Hood when the crowd willed him on to keep the match going 👏😃pic.twitter.com/TK6ioZQMQu
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
“Justin [Hood] will take that to his grave with him. He deserves it for what he’s done this year. Nobody knows him they said; they know him now!
“I don’t think it makes any difference who you play now; they’re all talented players, so we’ll see what happens!”
Wait for Gary Anderson's punchline when being asked about the Premier League again 😂 pic.twitter.com/wJ2LH2ju90
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) January 1, 2026
World Championship: Quarter-final results & remaining schedule
Thursday January 1
Afternoon Session (12.30pm GMT)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 9 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Ryan Searle 5-2 Jonny Clayton
- Gary Anderson 5-2 Justin Hood
Evening Session (7pm GMT)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 9 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Luke Littler 5-0 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Luke Humphries 1-5 Gian van Veen
Friday January 2
Evening Session (7.30pm GMT)
Semi-Finals (Best of 11 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Luke Littler v Ryan Searle
- Gian van Veen v Gary Anderson
Evening Session (7pm GMT)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 9 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Luke Littler 5-0 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Luke Humphries 1-5 Gian van Veen
Saturday January 3 (8pm GMT)
Final (Best of 13 sets)
TV Coverage: Sky Sports Darts
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
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