Luke Littler's hopes of a clean sweep are over after Jonny Clayton dumped him out of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. Clayton, who has proven to be the spoiler this weekend, won every leg from 5-4 up to seal victory on double 20. Littler had led early on, going 2-1 up with an 81 checkout, but Clayton stayed on his coattails, holding with a magnificent 136 checkout before breaking with a 92 checkout for 4-3. Clayton missed 130 but returned for 25 to go 5-3 up, then continued to surge forward with a 62 checkout and a trademark 121 checkout. Double 20 was pinned for Clayton to hold on from there, and Littler, despite a leg where neither player could hit a double, couldn't seal another as Clayton took every remaining leg. Littler now goes home without a clean sweep, and whether he heads to Den Bosch next weekend is very unlikely.
In the other semi-final, Ross Smith will face Gian van Veen. Smith saw off Josh Rock 10-7 to start the afternoon, averaging 97 with five 180s to Rock's eight, while Rock averaged 94 in defeat. Smith went 2-0 up early, breaking throw for Rock to hit back on double six and begin a sequence of holds. But Smith led 4-2 with an 81 checkout which proved to be the catalyst. He broke to go two ahead and then held after missing 170 on 25 to lead 5-2. Smith's break was snatched away as Rock hit 106, but straight away Smith hit double eight for 6-4 and then double 20 for 7-4. Rock couldn't find the break back, but Smith could find another as he hit 108, and despite Rock taking that away on double 13 after Smith had missed 75, Smith sealed the deal pinning double eight to claim the win 10-7. Smith has been the most in-form man on the European Tour as of late, winning two titles, and has brought that form to the big stage this weekend.
Gian van Veen took down his fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode in a heroic comeback. Van Duijvenbode was down early with Van Veen breaking on double 16 for 3-2 before holding for 56. Van Veen hit 91 for a superb hold, but back came Van Duijvenbode who broke for 5-5 and then led 8-6, looking on course for victory. However, his resolve fell as Van Veen won every leg from there. With the finishing line in sight, Van Veen broke for 8-7 and then broke again on 59 for 9-8 before holding with a 124 checkout to seal the win. Van Veen averaged 95.04 with 19 100+ thrown, 13 140+ thrown, six 180s, a highest checkout of 124, and a checkout percentage of 45.45 (9/16). Van Duijvenbode averaged 94.15 with 19 100+ thrown, 11 140+ thrown, eight 180s, a highest checkout of 83, and a checkout percentage of 40 (7/17).
Gerwyn Price saw off James Wade 10-7 in one of the landmark ties of the session. Price and Wade were nip and tuck throughout the early going, with Wade striking the first blow going 3-2 up with a 61 checkout. But he couldn't consolidate and Price hit a 170 checkout for 3-3. He went 4-3 up on double 20. Wade made it 4-4 with a 74 checkout, but Price broke again hitting 136 for 6-4. Wade hit straight back with a 74 checkout and even went 7-6 up with a 116 after Price missed droves of darts for the lead. But Price broke ironically next leg on double five before holding throw for 8-7. He broke again at an opportune moment with double 20 before holding with an 87 to seal the win 10-7. Price will now face Jonny Clayton in the semi-finals, with the final to be set in Amsterdam this evening.
