*Littler (0) 0-1 (0) Ratajski (*denotes next to throw first) A very solid start for Ratajski, landing double four to hold throw with Littler still finding his range.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n As both players warm up, Littler gets a few more pantomime jeers \u2013 but then a lusty chorus of \u201cwalking in a Littler wonderland\u201d. It\u2019s almost like this Ally Pally crowd are notoriously fickle!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Walk-ons! Ratajski makes the long walk to the strains of Status Quo, with a fair few Polish fans waving scarves in the crowd. Now for Luke Littler<\/a> \u2026 there are plenty of boos, a few cheers in response, and once Pitbull kicks in, everyone seems to have got over it. But it may be different when the match starts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Luke Littler chats to Sky: \u201cIt\u2019s a new year, a new day, and I\u2019m fully focused. It\u2019s the quarter-finals \u2026 if I play the way I did against Rob Cross, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll win.\u201d That interview was shown on the big screens at Ally Pally, and greeted with boos.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Evening everyone, Niall here to bring you the early stages of Luke Littler\u2019s quarter-final. The walk-ons should be interesting. Littler is the heavy favourite, of course, but Krzysztof Ratajski can\u2019t be written off.<\/p>\n The \u201cPolish Eagle\u201d isn\u2019t one of the tour\u2019s most dynamic player, but he\u2019s shown excellent form here to reach the quarter-finals for a second time. Ratajski\u2019s run is all the more impressive considering his health issues \u2013 he was diagnosed with an aneurysm in May 2024, and had to undergo two brain surgery procedures.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Littler v Ratajski<\/p>\n The brilliant Niall McVeigh is on duty for the start of this game \u2013 you can contact him on niall.mcveigh@theguardian.com<\/a>. I\u2019ll be back a bit later.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Good evening and welcome back to our live coverage of the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace. The Lukes are in action tonight. Littler plays Krzysztof Ratajski, a game he is expected to win comfortably, while Humphries meets Gian van Veen in a potential classic.<\/p>\n They\u2019re all potential classics, but you know what we mean. If Littler\u2019s match against the unseeded Ratajski \u2013 a very solid player but one whose ceiling is nowhere near Littler\u2019s \u2013 goes as expected, the main focus will be on his relationship with the Ally Pally crowd.<\/p>\n Littler became embroiled, to use one of Wayne Mardell\u2019s favourite words, during a barnstorming match against Rob Cross on Monday<\/a>. It\u2019d be nice if everybody remembered that Littler is 18 years old, that he has to deal with a pressure and expectation we cannot begin to understand, and place his questionable post-match comments in that context. But darts arenas aren\u2019t known for being melting pots of empathy so goodness knows how tonight will play out.<\/p>\n Humphries v Van Veen is a step into the unknown for different reasons. You can probably make a case for either man being the second best player in the world right now. Humphries is the official No2; Van Veen is the last man other than Littler to win a major and has the highest average \u2013 for a single game and overall – at this tournament.<\/p>\n Van Veen won all four games against Humphries in 2025, including a 10-8 win at the World Matchplay and an 11-10 victory in the final of October\u2019s European Championship, when he came from 3-0 down and then took 100 to break in the deciding leg with Humphries waiting on 20.<\/p>\n Humphries is still the favourite, because he\u2019s Luke Effing Humphries, but this could be one for the books.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.06 EST<\/p>\n Afternoon session: Searle and Anderson into semi-finals<\/p>\n That\u2019s all for this afternoon\u2019s coverage. Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson, good friends and practice partners, are into the semi-finals after 5-2 wins over Jonny Clayton and Justin Hood respectively.<\/p>\n The first game was all about the finishing, with Searle hitting 57 per cent of his doubles to Clayton\u2019s 25. Anderson and Hood were all square after four sets, at which point Anderson went through the gears to win nine of the last 10 legs.<\/p>\n Thanks for your company. We\u2019ll be back at 6.45pm ahead of a cracking evening session.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a011.11 EST<\/p>\n Scores on the doors<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Gary Anderson’s reaction<\/p>\n I felt in control at some stages but then I\u2019d make a mess of it and he\u2019d check out. The next minute it\u2019s 2-2 and I\u2019m going, \u2018Oh dear.\u2019<\/p>\n I started get into a faster rhythm towards the end. I\u2019m just glad to get over the line.<\/p>\n [Why can\u2019t you win the worlds again?] No, no, next game first!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Gary Anderson beat Justin Hood 5-2!<\/p>\n Gary Anderson will play Luke Humphries<\/a> or Gian van Veen tomorrow night after ending Justin Hood\u2019s life-changing run. It was level after four sets; then Anderson went into overdrive, winning nine of the last 10 legs to settle the match. In the last three sets he averaged 104, 112 and 107.<\/p>\n Anderson made a bit of a meal of the last leg, missing four doubles. The crowd loved it and were willing Hood to take out one last big finish. He couldn\u2019t manage it and Anderson hit D6 before turning to embrace Hood. The match was played in a brilliant spirit throughout.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (4) 2-0 (2) Hood Anderson breaks Hood to move within a leg of victory. He has upped it big-time in the last three sets, both in the scoring and the doubling, and that was another 14-dart break.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anderson (4) 1-0 (2) Hood* Anderson hits bull for 161 and gets a fistbump from a single Hood. Glorious stuff! He\u2019s two legs away from the semi-finals.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Anderson wins the sixth set 3-1!<\/p>\n Anderson 4-2 Hood Fabulous darts from Anderson. He takes out 121 to clinch the set and move within one of the match. In fact, Anderson averaged 112.38 in that set, the best of the match because Hood also averaged 101.<\/p>\n Gary Anderson is closing in on victory. Photograph: Warren Little\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.22 EST<\/p>\n *Anderson (3) 2-1 (2) Hood We see it so often: a player misses a chance to break and is then broken in the next leg. And it has happened here at a crucial time. Hood misses two for a 76 finish, Anderson cleans up 98 on D19. Brilliant stuff from Anderson, who is now throwing for a 4-1 lead \u2013 and he has the darts in set six.<\/p>\n Hood has missed four doubles in the last two legs; they may cost him the match.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a010.11 EST<\/p>\n Anderson (3) 1-1 (2) Hood* A seventh 180 gives Hood control on the Anderson throw. For once he\u2019s loose on the doubles, missing tops and tens for a 100 finish. Anderson punishes him, taking out D12 for a 72 finish.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (3) 0-1 (2) Hood Anderson threatens to break, leaving 104 after nine. Then he misses the big number, doesn\u2019t get a shot at double and has to watch Hood hit D8 for an exceedingly important hold of throw.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Anderson wins the fifth set 3-0!<\/p>\n Anderson 3-0 Hood Not a scintilla of faffage from Gary Anderson, who takes the fifth set with a 104.86 average. Hood isn\u2019t quite taking the Anderson sets off but he has saved his best for when he has the darts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (2) 2-0 (2) Hood Make that eight out of eight, although he did need Hood to miss two at double. I\u2019ve seen it all now.<\/p>\n Anderson leads 11-6 in legs, but the match is going with throw. The joy of set play.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anderson (2) 1-0 (2) Hood* Pop pop! A brilliant 127 finish gives Anderson the lead in the fifth set; he has won all seven legs in his sets.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cHappy new year Rob!\u201d says Simon McMahon. \u201cHope you had a good one. I stayed up until half past midnight, there\u2019s life in the old dog yet. Now a full day of drinking darts. Gary Anderson has been extremely impressive, at times even vintage, in this tournament so far. But I always expect him to lose when I watch, I think it comes from being Scottish. Though you can never really lose when you\u2019re a darts fan, can you? There\u2019s always something. Ryan Searle. Justin Hood. It\u2019s the sport that just keeps on giving.\u201d<\/p>\n Happy new year to Simon. Ah hell, happy new year to all of you.<\/p>\n I worry a bit of Anderson here; I wonder if Hood is starting to kill him with kindness. Anderson is at his best when he is totally focussed and slightly hacked off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The match stats so far<\/p>\n Averages<\/p>\n Anderson 93.04<\/p>\n Hood 93.79<\/p>\n Doubles<\/p>\n Anderson 9\/25 (39.13%)<\/p>\n Hood 6\/8 (75%)<\/p>\n 180s<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hood wins the fourth set 3-2!<\/p>\n Anderson 2-2 Hood It\u2019s all square again! Hood needs 120 for the set with Anderson on 144. After hitting single and treble 20, he stops to ask the crowd to make more noise, then returns to hit tops. Fantastic stuff! Hood\u2019s doubling has been sensational.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hood breaks back in set four!<\/p>\n Anderson (2) 2-2 (1) Hood* Anderson is in control of the set \u2013 until Hood hits a 180 to leave 45 for a break back. Anderson can\u2019t set up from 106 and Hood hits with his first attempt at D16. That is so good. Anderson is slightly discombobulated and has to check who has the darts in the fifth leg. It\u2019s Hood, who will level the match if he holds throw.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.49 EST<\/p>\n *Anderson (2) 2-1 (1) Hood Anderson has been half a dart ahead of Hood in the majority of the legs. This is no exception and he hits tops for a crucial break of throw. That could be a gamebreaker.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anderson (2) 1-1 (1) Hood* A fifth 180 for Hood puts pressure on Anderson, who needs 60 for a hold. He holds his nerve to hit D10 last dart in hand.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (2) 0-1 (1) Hood Big set, this. Hood has the darts and you feel like he probably needs to hold. Anderson misses four darts for a break \u2013 one at the bull, three at D15 \u2013 and Hood does the needful on tops.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Anderson wins the third set 3-0<\/p>\n Anderson 2-1 Hood Beautifully done by Gary Anderson, who wins all three legs in 15 darts to move ahead. It was his set, sure, but clean sweeps like that can bleed into the next set.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (1) 2-0 (1) Hood Anderson misses the bull for a 12-dart break. Hood, on 152, can\u2019t set up \u2013 he wasn\u2019t helped by a deflection \u2013 and Anderson gets the job done. He\u2019s throwing for the third set.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anderson (1) 1-0 (1) Hood* There\u2019s a game on here all right, and it\u2019s being played in a fantastic spirit. Both players start the set with a maximum; Anderson extends it to five perfect darts and the two players smile broadly when an imperfect sixth dart is greeted with boos. Anderson eventually cleans up in 15 darts with Hood back on 140.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hood could \u2013 probably should \u2013 have crumbled after being broken in the first leg of the second set. Instead he went three straight legs, two on the Anderson throw, with a 180 in each and a 100 finish. There was some poor stuff in between but the champagne moments more than made up for it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.35 EST<\/p>\n Hood wins the second set 3-1!<\/p>\n Anderson 1-1 Hood An unreal set of darts from Justin Hood. He hits another 180 to put pressure on the Anderson throw; Anderson missed two for 96 and Hood cleans up 100 with his last dart. The crowd are making an almighty racket and Hood is loving every minute of it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (1) 1-2 (0) Hood Justin Hood is starting to settle. He hits his second 180 in as many legs before pinning D18 for a two-dart finish of 96. This guy looks a serious talent, particularly on stage.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hood breaks back in set two<\/p>\n Anderson (1) 1-1 (0) Hood* Terrific stuff from Hood, whose first leg of the match is a 14-dart break on D8. Superbly played.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.27 EST<\/p>\n *Anderson (1) 1-0 (0) Hood This is a superb start from Anderson. He puts instant pressure on Hood\u2019s throw, is first to a finish and goes out in 14 darts on tops.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Anderson wins the first set 3-0<\/p>\n Anderson 1-0 Hood Justin Hood misses a dart at tops for a break; Anderson returns to sweep the first set on D5.<\/p>\n Hood didn\u2019t play badly (average 92) and ultimately that was just a set with the darts, but the first leg of the second set already feels like a big one.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Anderson (0) 2-0 (0) Hood Anderson bulldozes his way to 181 after six darts against the throw. The leg slows down after that, for both players, before Anderson breaks on D16. He\u2019s throwing for the set.<\/p>\n Here we go! Photograph: Steven Paston\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.20 EST<\/p>\n Anderson (0) 1-0 (0) Hood* A 14-dart hold for Gary Anderson to kick things off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Gary Anderson will throw first. Game on!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cRyan Searle appears to have three hands,\u201d writes Magnus Johnson. \u201cIsn\u2019t that cheating?\u201d<\/p>\n He can still only use one.<\/p>\n Ryan Searle celebrates. Photograph: Shane Healey\/ProSports\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.06 EST<\/p>\n Next up: the great Gary Anderson against the surprise star of the tournament, Justin Hood, who hit a record 11 consecutive doubles in his win over Justin Rock. Hood has not fluked his way to the last eight: only Gian van Veen has a higher tournament average than his 101.97.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ryan Searle’s reaction<\/p>\n It means a lot. Neither of us played particularly well \u2013 I felt nervous and there was a lot on the line. I think my finishing under pressure was pretty good.<\/p>\n At least I\u2019ll be on tomorrow night. I get to set my alarm late and have a lie-in for once!<\/p>\n I think I\u2019m provisionally No7 in the world, which is crazy to me.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t see particularly well, so if there are other people out there who want to play darts and can\u2019t see particularly well, I hope I can be an inspiration.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Searle hit a 180 to take control of the leg and finished 38 on D8 after hitting single 19 and single three. It was the finishing wot won it: 57 per cent to Clayton\u2019s 25.<\/p>\n He now has the uneviable task of facing Luke Littler<\/a> (probably) in tomorrow\u2019s semi-final. But that\u2019s for another day: right now, and pending Gary Anderson\u2019s result againts Justin Hood in a moment, he is the No7 in the world.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ryan Searle beats Jonny Clayton 5-2!<\/p>\n The greatest moment in the career of Ryan Searle. After a bit of a wobble, he sweeps the seventh set to finally see off Jonny Clayton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Searle (4) 2-0 (2) Clayton* Ryan Searle is one leg away from the semis after another superb two-dart finish, this time on 87. Clayton\u2019s spirit may finally have been broken.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n *Searle (4) 1-0 (2) Clayton Superb response from Searle, who breaks ruthlessly at the start of the fourth set: 14 darts culminating in a two-dart finish of 76. He\u2019s still above 50 per cent on the doubles.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.51 EST<\/p>\n Clayton wins the sixth set 3-1!<\/p>\n Searle 4-2 Clayton Jonny Clayton isn\u2019t the Ferret, he\u2019s Tigger. He should have accepted defeat ages ago but he keeps bouncing back. He pumps another 180 and goes out in 11 darts to win the set against the throw. Searle is starting to look a bit edgy.<\/p>\n Jonny Clayton wins the sixth set. Photograph: Andrew Boyers\/Action Images\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.54 EST<\/p>\n Searle (4) 1-2 (1) Clayton* Hello! Clayton breaks in 16 darts and will throw for the set.<\/p>\n![\"Rob](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Rob-Smyth-003.jpg\")
Rob Smyth<\/p>\n