Luke Littler: World Matchplay defending champion believes he can dominate like Phil Taylor ahead of semi-final
Luke Littler stormed into the semi-finals of the World Matchplay with a thumping win over Josh Rock and has set his sights on dominating the sport in the same fashion as Phil Taylor; you can watch the World Matchplay live on Sky Sports in Blackpool until July 26
Friday 24 July 2026 13:29, UK
Luke Littler says he will dominate darts in the same way Phil Taylor did if he continues his sparkling form.
A scintillating Littler progressed to the semi-finals of the World Matchplay on Thursday with a dominant 16-7 win over Josh Rock, averaging 109.57 with a 53 per cent success rate on the doubles.
On Saturday 'The Nuke', who scored 17 180s against Rock in Blackpool, will face Dirk van Duijvenbode in the semi-final - live on Sky Sports.
The world No 1 is aiming to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2016 to go back-to-back in Blackpool, with few betting against him.
Following his win, Littler was asked by Sky Sports if he is confident he can dominate the sport in the same fashion as all-time great Phil Taylor did.
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Littler said: "Yeah, I feel like I can. My averages of 113 and 109 come with the big finishes and the scoring power is there as well with the 180s. As long as I can keep it up, I'm sure I will dominate."
He was then asked about the prospect of being the first player in history to approach £3m on order of merit.
Littler replied: "I checked the rankings the other day. I think if I beat Dirk [van Duijvenbode], then I will go into that £3m mark.
"As long as I'm playing like this and producing numbers, it's going to take something special from another player to beat me. I've just got to keep going."
Littler currently holds the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters titles.
He is also defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals.
Such is his form there are suggestions he could be set for the greatest ever Matchplay.
On talk of the prospect, he said: "I wouldn't say I'm aware of it. I saw something yesterday that Gezzy [Gerwyn Price] is up in the ranks for most legs played.
"In this competition you don't want to be at the top, you want to be down at the bottom. You don't want to win by two clear legs, you just want to get the job done. As long as I perform like that, I'll be happy."
Immediately after Thursday's win, he said: "I feel really good up on the stage, preparations beforehand are going really well, just relaxing, playing, relaxing again. I'm just glad I can perform on the biggest stages."
