Littler silences homecrowd with win over Humphries to reach semi-final

Despite a walk-on welcomed by a somewhat “hostile” home crowd, Littler silenced the Liverpool fans with a 6-2 win over Luke Humphries to reach the semi-final.

What has become “a clash of titans”  began with a close first leg which saw Littler check out tops to take the lead against the world number two.

A dominant first four legs for Littler

Littler’s consistency carried through the second as he led by two legs, albeit somewhat shaky on the doubles.

“Cool hand” will have regrets in the third, missing multiple darts on double to let Littler capitalise to make it 3-0.

Humphries hit his fourth 180 in the fourth leg but failed to check out 98 and Littler left him no mercy on his favourite double 10 to make it 4-0 in what was slowly becoming a statement from the world number one.

But Humphries finally found some form in the fifth and denied Littler a clean sweep by making it 4-1.

Regrets for Humphries

Both players produced a sparkling display in the sixth and were both averaging over 100 but later in the leg, Humphries’ “lazy” darts came back to haunt him.

Littler, who was beginning to find success on the doubles, checked out tops to make it 5-1 before Humphries hit back hard to claim the seventh.

Humphries will have regrets in the decisive leg as he survived three match darts from Littler before failing to check out 40 to stay in the match.

The world number one returned to the oche to silence the crowd that booed him on during his walk-on to advance to the semi-final where he faces Michael Van Gerwen.