Luke Littler edged out Ryan Joyce in a deciding-set thriller to seal his spot in the Paddy Power World Darts Championship quarter-finals on Monday, as Michael van Gerwen also progressed to the last eight.
The final day of darting action in 2024 saw the remaining fourth round ties take place at Alexandra Palace, with Littler and Van Gerwen headlining a marathon double-session.
They will be joined in the quarter-finals by Stephen Bunting, Nathan Aspinall, Chris Dobey and Callan Rydz, who also continued their pursuit of the coveted Sid Waddell Trophy on Day 13 of the sport's showpiece event.
Littler and Joyce’s clash stole the headlines, as the 17-year-old sensation came out on top in a seven-set epic, averaging 103 and crashing in 14 maximums to maintain his title bid.
All seven sets went against throw in a topsy-turvy affair, with Joyce overturning 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 deficits to threaten a seismic shock in the capital.
Littler missed a match dart at tops for a 4-2 victory, but after Joyce forced a seventh and final set, the Warrington wonderkid averaged 110 in a stunning final stanza to preserve his title aspirations.
“It was a very tough game. We both played very well,” reflected Littler, who will renew his rivalry with stablemate Aspinall on New Year’s Day.
“Ryan said he had no power-scoring, but he was right behind me in every leg I won! Ryan won’t be happy with the result, but I think he should be happy with the way he played.
“I’m expecting Nathan to play very well. We’ve played each other many times before, we know how we can play.
“This is the quarter-final of the World Championship, so may the best man win on the day!”
Van Gerwen sent out a statement to his title rivals with a superb display against De Graaf, fending off a mid-game fightback from the Swedish star to triumph with a 101.98 average.
The Dutch superstar was imperious in the opening exchanges, only for De Graaf to hit back with a brilliant flurry, winning six of the next seven legs to restore parity at two apiece.
However, Van Gerwen responded in sensational style, winning the last six legs without reply to remain on course for a fourth World Championship crown.
“I think I played a really good game,” insisted Van Gerwen – who will play an in-form Rydz for a place in the last four.
“I was cruising and I was in control, and then Jeffrey produced two good sets, but more importantly, I was able to find another gear when I had to.
“Callan has the highest tournament average so far, so I cannot underestimate him, but I feel good, I feel comfortable, and from this position, I think anything is possible in this tournament.”
Bunting delivered another dominant display to book his quarter-final berth, dispatching Luke Woodhouse in straight sets to move through to a fascinating clash against a resurgent Peter Wright.
The Masters champion converted a classy 121 kill to clinch a quick-fire opening set, before winning nine of the next 12 legs to sweep aside Woodhouse in emphatic style.
“To be in the quarter-finals of the biggest tournament on the planet is a massive honour,” declared Bunting.
“I feel really fresh and really confident, and I’ve never played in an atmosphere like that before. I believe these fans can take me all the way.
“Peter Wright is one of the best players on the planet. He was fantastic against Luke Humphries last night, and I expect that version of Peter again on New Year’s Day.”
Aspinall breezed through to the last eight with a four-set blitz of Ricardo Pietreczko, conceding just two legs on his way to a comprehensive victory.
“That is probably the loudest and the best crowd I have ever played darts in, that was unbelievable,” claimed the two-time televised title winner.
“I enjoyed every single moment of that game; it’s the first game that I’ve played that I’ve enjoyed in a long, long time, and hopefully my next game’s the same.
"I'm over the moon to make the quarter finals. Luke is going to be favourite, but that spurs me on. I love being an underdog."
Dobey will take on 2020/21 World Champion Gerwyn Price for a place in the last four, defying a profligate display on the outer ring to deny Kevin Doets in a seven-set battle.
Doets landed a sensational 130 checkout to lead 3-2 in sets, before Dobey responded by winning six of the next eight legs to secure a place in his third consecutive World Championship quarter-final.
Elsewhere, Rydz overturned a two-set deficit to defeat Rob Owen in another dramatic affair, averaging 97 and landing a dozen maximums to set up a showdown with Van Gerwen.
Owen squandered three darts for a 3-0 lead in sets, and that proved to be the turning point, as Rydz completed the turnaround to seal a spot in the last eight for the second time in his career.
The Paddy Power World Darts Championship resumes on New Year’s Day, as the quarter-finals take place on a bumper day of action at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Dobey and Price will kick off proceedings, before Van Gerwen and Rydz go head-to-head in the afternoon’s finale.
Wright and Bunting then lock horns in the evening’s opener, which will be followed by a blockbuster tussle between Littler and Aspinall.
Click here for match stats & results.
2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Monday December 30
Afternoon Session
3x Fourth Round
Chris Dobey 4-3 Kevin Doets (3-1, 1-3, 3-0, 2-3, 2-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Callan Rydz 4-3 Rob Owen (1-3, 2-3, 3-2, 3-0, 3-0, 1-3, 3-1)
Nathan Aspinall 4-0 Ricardo Pietreczko (3-1, 3-0, 3-0, 3-1)
Evening Session
3x Fourth Round
Stephen Bunting 4-0 Luke Woodhouse (3-0, 3-1, 3-1, 3-1)
Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Jeffrey de Graaf (3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 1-3, 3-0, 3-0)
Luke Littler 4-3 Ryan Joyce (3-1, 2-3, 3-1, 1-3, 3-1, 2-3, 3-1)
Wednesday January 1
Afternoon Session (1230 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2
Chris Dobey v Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen v Callan Rydz
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Quarter-Finals x2
Peter Wright v Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler v Nathan Aspinall
All matches best of nine sets