Summary

  1. Littler goes up 3-2published at 22:41 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 3-2 Joyce (3-1)

    Luke Littler lets out a shout after nailing tops at the first attempt to move to within a set of victory.

    It's a clinical finish in a match in which he's not always been so efficient on the outer ring.

    An average of 104 in the set shows how well he's scoring though.

    Still work to for The Nuke...

  2. Postpublished at 22:38 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-2 Joyce (2-1)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    So far, Luke Littler is finding the answers.

  3. Postpublished at 22:38 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-2 Joyce (2-1)

    Sensational 144 set-up from Luke Littler but he can't hit tops on his next visit.

    However, Ryan Joyce misses double 16 and Littler comes back, shrugs off two more misses at double 10 and gets the double five he needs to break.

  4. Postpublished at 22:37 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-2 Joyce (1-1)

    We're level again as Luke Littler hits double 10 for a 13-dart hold.

    The teenager also hits a 180 to begin the next leg...

  5. Joyce takes out 117published at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-2 Joyce (0-1)

    After starting the set with a 180, Ryan Joyce goes off the boil somewhat.

    However, Luke Littler can't take advantage and Joyce gets himself down to 117.

    Again, once he hits the treble 20, you know what's coming. Single 17 then tops and it's a big hold for Joyce.

  6. Postpublished at 22:33 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-2 Joyce

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler knows how to dig deep and he is going to have to here, it is as simple as that.

  7. Joyce draws level again!published at 22:29 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-2 Joyce (1-3)

    Ryan Joyce makes it all square again. Don't go anywhere, folks, we have got a real battle on our hands!

    Joyce is doing just to stay close to Littler in terms of scoring and his finishing has never been in doubt.

    Littler goes 164, 133 to leave 12 but Joyce takes out 86 in two darts and it's 2-2.

  8. Postpublished at 22:27 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce (1-2)

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler has got me tied in knots at the moment. I can't rationalise some of the decisions he's taking around doubles.

  9. Postpublished at 22:27 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce (1-2)

    Luke Littler hits double five to get a leg back.

    But Ryan Joyce will throw to level this match again at 2-2.

  10. Postpublished at 22:25 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce (0-2)

    Breathing room for Ryan Joyce.

    He misses a couple of darts at double but a slow start to the leg from Luke Littler means that he has that luxury.

    Double 10 is found before Littler is able to put him under too much pressure.

  11. Postpublished at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce (0-1)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    You just get the feeling that Luke Littler wants to break free of Ryan Joyce and get some breathing space but Joyce isn't allowing it to happen.

  12. Postpublished at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce (0-1)

    Luke Littler's scoring is remarkable. But so is Ryan Joyce on the doubles.

    The teenager is quickly down to 30 but misses double 15 on the inside then has to set up another double. He goes for double six but misses again.

    Joyce, who narrowly missed double 16 for a 140 out, comes back and gets it this time.

  13. Postpublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    There's no big celebration from Luke Littler but he will be delighted.

    He has fought back well when his opponent has won a set so far in this tournament.

  14. Littler back in frontpublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 2-1 Joyce (3-1)

    All the time in the world for Luke Littler in this leg and he hits tops to go two sets to one ahead.

    A 13-dart hold for Littler, who averaged 108 in that set.

  15. Postpublished at 22:20 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-1 Joyce (2-1)

    Rare misses on the doubles from Ryan Joyce give Luke Littler a chance to wrap up the set quickly.

    He can't take it, missing tops, and Joyce returns to hit double 14.

    A 13-darter after 180s for both players in the leg.

  16. Postpublished at 22:19 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-1 Joyce (2-0)

    Mark Webster
    Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

    Luke Littler looks a bit angry. He has come out firing though.

  17. Postpublished at 22:18 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-1 Joyce (2-0)

    Luke Littler has taken losing that second set personally.

    He nails a 180 and a 140 before hitting double 12 at the third time of asking to hold.

  18. Postpublished at 22:17 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-1 Joyce (1-0)

    Luke Littler breaks to start the set!

    After another 180 - his fifth of the match - he takes out 66 in style, finishing on tops.

    The celebration shows he knows he's in a match here.

  19. Is darts a sport?published at 22:14 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    If you're reading this, our guess is you probably think it is - and while opinion differs, you'd be right.

    Darts has been officially recognised as a sport by all of the sports councils in the United Kingdom.

    Sport England recognised darts as a sporting activity in March 2005 and Sport Wales, Sport Northern Ireland and Sport Scotland followed suit.

    Hit the thumbs if you agree, or disagree.

    Luke Humphries and Luke LittlerImage source, Getty Images
  20. Joyce takes out 116 to levelpublished at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2024

    Littler 1-1 Joyce (2-3)

    Ryan JoyceImage source, Reuters

    Brilliant from Ryan Joyce!

    He breaks for the third time in the set to level it up at 1-1.

    Joyce is just lethal on the doubles so once he gets the treble 20, you just know the 20 and double 18 will follow for a fantastic 116 checkout.

    Work for Luke Littler to do. He missed a dart at bull for the set and remains three sets from the quarter-finals.