Postpublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 4-1 Michael Smith
Stuart Pyke
Commentator on Sky Sports
I'm not sure this has any bearing on next week at all, I really don't.
Summary
Michael Smith beats Luke Humphries 6-3 to win night 16 final in Sheffield
Smith beat Nathan Aspinall 6-3 in quarter-finals to seal fourth and final play-off spot
Semi-final results: Littler 5-6 Smith & Humphries 6-3 Van Gerwen in semi-finals
Other quarter-finals: Littler 6-4 Wright, Humphries 6-4 Price & Van Gerwen 6-4 Cross
Play-off semi-finals at London's O2 Arena on 23 May confirmed as Littler v Smith & Humphries v Van Gerwen
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Postpublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 16 May
Littler breaks againpublished at 21:42 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 4-1 Michael Smith
Image source, PA MediaMore slack finishing from Michael Smith and that lets Luke Littler in.
A couple more missed doubles and the teenager finds the bed of double four to break for the third time.
Smith breakspublished at 21:41 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 3-1 Michael Smith
Another sloppy leg is sparked to life by Michael Smith.
He hits two bullseyes in a row as part of an excellent 120 set-up.
It's double 18 on his next visit to get him up and running.
Postpublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 3-0 Michael Smith
Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky SportsLuke Littler is bonafide world class already.
Three in a row for Littlerpublished at 21:39 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 3-0 Michael Smith
Image source, PA MediaNobody wanted to win this leg - but Luke Littler takes it eventually!
They combined to miss 12 darts at double between them with Michael Smith busting when down to double one.
Littler eventually hits double five to open up a 3-0 lead.
Smith can smile, he's done his job for the evening already.
Littler holdspublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 2-0 Michael Smith
A solid hold for Luke Littler.
He hits double 10 for a 15-darter and an early two-leg lead.
Littler breakspublished at 21:34 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler 1-0 Michael Smith
A flying start to this match!
Luke Littler hits the first 180 of the game, Michael Smith responds in kind... only for Littler to hit another!
That gives him a chance to break and he hits double 10 to complete the 58 checkout.
Postpublished at 21:32 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler v Michael Smith
Image source, PA MediaWalk-ons done, the Sheffield crowd are in good voice and we're ready for the first semi-final of the evening.
Like both Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, Littler is targeting a record fifth nightly win in a Premier League campaign.
Postpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 16 May
Luke Littler v Michael Smith
Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky SportsLuke Littler has just totted up points so when the wins came he's pulled away. He's played like a player that is in his eighth or ninth season, you don't realise how inexperienced he is. He has been incredible.
He's ambitious though. The job doesn't stop here, he wants to win the trophy next week.
Postpublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 16 May
Result: Nathan Aspinall 3-6 Michael Smith
Michael Smith was very emotional after his win over Nathan Aspinall that secured his play-off spot.
Image source, Getty ImagesHe had still had time to embrace - and kiss - his good friend though.
Sportsmanship of the highest order.
Image source, ReutersSemi-final line-uppublished at 21:27 British Summer Time 16 May
Remarkably, that means we now have a dry run ahead of the play-off semi-finals next week.
Tonight's last-four clashes - and next week's semi-finals - look like this...
- Luke Littler v Michael Smith
- Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen
Quarter-final resultspublished at 21:24 British Summer Time 16 May
Before we go any further, here is a quick reminder of those quarter-final results...
- Luke Littler 6-4 Peter Wright
- Nathan Aspinall 3-6 Michael Smith
- Luke Humphries 6-4 Gerwyn Price
- Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Rob Cross
Postpublished at 21:19 British Summer Time 16 May
Result: Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Rob Cross
Stunning scoring from Michael van Gerwen as he averaged 105.7 - those new darts seemed to be working for him!
He hit two 180s and was six of 12 on the doubles, even I can work out that's a checkout percentage of 50.
Meanwhile, Rob Cross did very well to hold off MVG for a while, averaging 95.57 with a solitary maximum.
It was on the outer ring that he lost it, he was just four of 11 for 36.4%.
Postpublished at 21:16 British Summer Time 16 May
Result: Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Rob Cross
Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky SportsThat is interesting. It confirms third spot for Michael van Gerwen.
It means the semi-finals in the play-offs next week will be Luke Littler v Michael Smith and Luke Humphries v Michael van Gerwen and we're about to get a taste of them tonight.
MVG storms into the semis!published at 21:13 British Summer Time 16 May
BreakingMichael van Gerwen 6-4 Rob Cross
Image source, PA MediaFrom 4-1 down, Michael van Gerwen comes roaring back to win!
Five legs in a row for the Dutchman.
Rob Cross did have a dart to force a decider but couldn't get tops and MVG returned to finish the job.
Four in a row for MVGpublished at 21:12 British Summer Time 16 May
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen has turned this match on its head!
From 4-1 down, he's a leg away from the semi-final.
MVG gave Rob Cross a chance with a missed dart at double but Cross then missed two at his favourite double 18.
Mighty Mike wasn't going to give him another chance. Double eight hit and it's 5-4.
'I am loving this'published at 21:10 British Summer Time 16 May
Michael van Gerwen 4-4 Rob Cross
Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky SportsI am loving this. It’s great from Michael van Gerwen. Rob Cross was barely giving him a sniff but Van Gerwen’s average is finally telling.
This will be great for Van Gerwen if he can win because winning has become a bit more difficult for him.
MVG levels it uppublished at 21:09 British Summer Time 16 May
Michael van Gerwen 4-4 Rob Cross
It's Michael van Gerwen's turn to show some clinical finishing!
Rob Cross' excellent set-up left him needing 40, meaning MVG's 89 has to go...
And go it does, two darts and we're all square!
MVG breakspublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 16 May
Michael van Gerwen 3-4 Rob Cross
Image source, PA MediaGame on!
Rob Cross misses a dart at tops for a 5-3 lead and Michael van Gerwen comes back to hit double 16.
That brings us back on throw but Cross threw first so MVG needs another break to win.
MVG holdspublished at 21:05 British Summer Time 16 May
Michael van Gerwen 2-4 Rob Cross
Michael van Gerwen gets one back with a straightforward hold.
He opened up a big lead early and never let it go.
A two-dart finish for 86 brings him back to within two.