Luke Littler produced a stunning nine-dart finish during his 17-14 semi-final triumph against Josh Rock at the World Matchplay, securing his place in Sunday's final against James Wade.
The 18-year-old world champion executed what many are calling potentially the tournament's finest leg in history, completing 15 flawless darts whilst denying Rock the opportunity to achieve the same feat after his opponent had thrown two maximums.
The remarkable achievement occurred when Littler found himself struggling at 6-1 down, but the perfect leg transformed his fortunes in the contest at Blackpool's Winter Gardens.
Wade earned his spot in the championship match after defeating Jonny Clayton 20-18 in an exhausting semi-final encounter.
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|Luke Littler shrugged as he hit his nine darter in the semi-final
"It definitely sparked me into life. I didn't want to give it big because I was playing awfully," Littler reflected on his nine-dart finish.
Commentator Wayne Mardle declared: "That is the second-best leg you will ever see in your life."
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The achievement marked the tenth nine-dart finish in the tournament's history since 1994 and the first recorded this year.
Following his perfect leg, Littler mounted an impressive recovery, winning seven of eight legs to transform an 8-4 deficit into an 11-9 advantage.
Rock responded with remarkable checkouts of 170 and 120 in succession, narrowing the deficit to 14-12, but couldn't prevent Littler's victory.
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|Luke Littler completed an impressive comeback to set up a final with James Wade
Wade's path to the final proved far more arduous, as he squandered a commanding 16-10 advantage before eventually prevailing in overtime.
The 42-year-old Englishman, competing in his seventh Matchplay final, watched his substantial lead evaporate as Clayton claimed six consecutive legs to force the match beyond the standard format.
"I'm just done, I'm exhausted. I hope the crowd here and everyone at home enjoyed themselves, because I hated every minute of it," Wade admitted afterwards.
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Despite Clayton's remarkable fightback, Wade demonstrated resilience by securing a 161 checkout to regain the lead at 17-16, before finally closing out the victory after both players traded legs to reach 18-18.
Victory on Sunday would see Littler join an exclusive group of just four players who have captured darts' Triple Crown - Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Luke Humphries.
The teenager secured the Premier League title in May 2024 and claimed the World Championship in January, meaning he could complete the prestigious treble in barely over twelve months.
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|James Wade completed an overtime victory to set up the final with Luke Littler
"I've won many finals and majors but this is the big one now, it all comes down to Sunday," Littler stated.
Sunday's showdown represents a rematch of March's UK Open final, where Littler dominated Wade 11-2.
Wade's sole Matchplay triumph came eighteen years ago, despite reaching six previous finals at the tournament.