By Sarah Leaver in Blackpool
Luke Littler believes that “once you’re on stage, you’re no-one’s friend” ahead of his meeting with Josh Rock in the World Matchplay semi-final on Saturday.
The teenager said: “I’m sure the fans would want to see me and Josh, but I can only beat what’s in front of me” when asked about his first PDC match against the Northern Ireland star.
The pair met on a youth tour before shooting to fame but have remained close friends despite having never played each other in a professional PDC match.
Surrounding criticism from the 2024/25 World Championship where players were accused of passing the game to Littler as they were close friends, Rock said: “He’ll be in his room and I’ll be in my room, but I don’t feel the pressure [of playing against Littler] and he clearly doesn’t feel any pressure at all.
“I think personally, between the two of us, it’ll be fireworks tomorrow. I’ll give it large if I know I’m well ahead.”
Littler’s run to the final has contained some wobbly moments, having a risky game against Jermaine Wattimena in the second round, where he initially went 4-0 down before going on to win 13-11.
Friday night’s quarter-final also had the potential for a shock from the underdog, Andrew Gilding, as the 54-year-old kept fighting back and Littler had to push on at 15-14 to secure his place in the semi-final.
“I had to pull it out the bag” the teenager said, “but for myself I was happy to be in the lead throughout the game, but at the end he started to get a bit of momentum.
“I feel like I could have got the job done earlier on, but that’s darts and it dragged out a little bit longer.”
Rock produced a spectacular performance against one of the biggest characters in the sport, Gerwyn Price, just days after demolishing three-time-winner Michael van Gerwen in the second round.
The 24-year-old said: “It only took three years to actually win one game and now I’m in the semi-finals!
“I’ve played Ross Smith, European champion, MvG, three-time world champion and Gezzy, a one-time world champion.
“If you want to win this title, you have to beat the best.”
Littler or Rock both have the potential to become the youngest World Matchplay champion in history if either were to win in Sunday’s final, overtaking fellow semi-finalist James Wade, who won the competition at 24 back in 2007.
The pair face each other in the second game of Saturday night’s semi-finals, after Wade faces Johnny Clayton.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Things You Missed: World Matchplay Darts Quarter-Finals
- World Matchplay 2025: Day 7 – Luke Littler through to Semi-Final after intense showdown
- “The Youngsters are Boring!” – Gary Anderson takes jab at new generation: ‘always on their phones’
- “Van Gerwen out Early” – 5 Bold Predictions: 2025 World Match Play Darts