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BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team has been answering all of the key questions around the world of sport...

Why will Nathan Aspinall drop so many places in the PDC's Order of Merit?

Prior to the start of the 2025 World Matchplay, Nathan Aspinall was ranked seventh in the PDC's Order of Merit.

However, Aspinall's first round exit to Wessel Nijman is a significant blow to his world rankings.

Aspinall will end the World Matchplay as the world number 23, despite reaching the semi-finals of the Premier League two months ago and the quarter-finals of the World Championships, World Masters and UK Open earlier this year.

That is because the PDC's Order of Merit is calculated on prize money earned over a 24-month period.

Aspinall, who won the World Matchplay in 2023, entered this year's tournament defending £523,250 in prize money. £200,000 of that total comes from winning the World Matchplay two years ago.

Because he has lost £200,000 but is only adding £10,000 following his first round exit, Aspinall is effectively losing £190,000 from his total prize money.

That will see the Asp drop from seventh to 23rd in the Order of Merit.

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We are yet to see a nine-darter at the 2025 World Matchplay but there is still time yet.

The last one made in this competition came in 2024, Dimitri Van den Bergh hitting one in his first round victory against Martin Schindler.

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It's day eight of nine at the World Matchplay and there has been plenty of drama in the first seven days.

It all began on the opening night when defending champion and world number one Luke Humphries was dumped out in first round by Gian van Veen.

That has been the biggest shock so far but it's far from the only surprise with 2023 winner Nathan Aspinall also beaten on night one, while Michael van Gerwen lost to Josh Rock in the second round.

Rock's fellow Northern Ireland World Cup winner Daryl Gurney was also involved in the fieriest match so far - a 10-7 loss to Gerwyn Price - that ended with a heated exchange and a particularly aggressive handshake.

Meanwhile, Luke Littler has overcome a couple of challenges to make semis, James Wade has rolled back the years, Jonny Clayton has been in great form and Rock is eyeing a first major title.

So there should be plenty more excitement to come over the next two evenings.

Luke Littler is the odds-on favourite, but who is your pick to win the title, and why?

We want to hear your views throughout the evening using #bbcdarts, vua WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

And give us a thumps up if you think Littler is destined to triumph, thumbs down if not.

This is what we've got to look forward to tonight. Remember it's best of 33 legs in the last four, or first to 17 if you prefer...

• James Wade v Jonny Clayton
• Luke Littler v Josh Rock

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The top 16 players in the world are seeded, meaning their first-round opponents will be those who have qualified via the ProTour.

The seeded players have been drawn in such a way the number one seed would face the number 16 seed if they both win their first-round match, and so on.

In the first round, matches are the best of 19 legs, which increases to a best of 21 in the second round.

The quarter-finals are the best of 31 legs, with the semi-finals and final potentially last 33 and 35 legs respectively.

Matches must be won by two clear legs, but if a two-leg lead is not found within six extra then there is a sudden-death leg.

Image source, PDC/Taylor Lanning

We've reached the final weekend of the World Matchplay and it's semi-final time at Blackpool's Winter Gardens!

It's a huge tournament in the darting calendar, part of darts' triple crown (more on that later) and we're down to the final four.

James Wade, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and a certain Luke Littler will all be attempting to move a step closer to picking up the trophy tomorrow night.

So settle in, we've got a great night of arrows ahead of us!