Rob Cross is ‘Littlered’ in World Darts Championship semi-final

The 2018 champion from St Leonards lost by six sets to two against the boy wonder in a high-class encounter at Alexandra Palace in London on Tuesday night.

For Cross, the defeat came a day after he produced an astounding comeback from 4-0 down to beat Chris Dobey 5-4 in the last eight.

Against Littler, Cross averaged 102.77, hit 10 180s and 42% of his attempts at a double, yet it wasn't enough against an opponent who averaged 106.05 with 16 180s and a checkout percentage of 47%.

Cross said on X (formerly Twitter) today: “I gave it everything but total respect to Luke for another incredible performance. What a player. Good luck to both great lads in the final. Thanks for the great support I’ve had. I’ll be back.”

The 33-year-old started the match superbly, averaging more than 108 and not having a single trebleless visit in winning the opening set 3-2.

That average rose to an astonishing 115 at one point in the second set, but Cross missed a dart at the bullseye to take it 3-1 and Littler rallied brilliantly to claim it 3-2, levelling the scores at one set each.

Littler clinched set three 3-1 with the aid of a 142 checkout before producing a 149 outshot en route to winning the fourth set, conjuring up an 11-darter in the deciding leg, for a 3-1 lead in sets.

Cross, who averaged 114 in set four, pulled off a 138 finish on his way to landing the fifth set 3-2, albeit only after Littler missed a dart at double top to lead 4-1 in sets. World Youth Championship winner Littler replied by claiming the next two sets 3-1, however, to move within one of victory at 5-2.

Cross had pulled off a miraculous comeback from 4-0 down to beat Dobey 5-4 in the quarter-finals on Monday, but there was to be no stunning turnaround on this occasion.

Littler kicked off set eight with a 132 checkout featuring two bullseyes before wrapping things up with an 80 finish in the set's deciding leg.

Littler, who has taken the darting world by storm with his sustained excellence throughout the sport's blue riband tournament, will face Luke Humphries in the final tonight.

Third seed Humphries averaged 108.74 and hit six 100-plus outshots in a 6-0 whitewash of Scott Williams in the second semi-final.

Cross, meanwhile, will rise from eighth to sixth in the world rankings after an event in which he defeated Dobey, Jonny Clayton (4-0), Jeffrey de Graaf (4-2) and Thibault Tricole (3-0).

Jubilant Littler told Sky Sports after beating Cross: "I have no words, it's just crazy, that I'm in a World Championship final on my debut. I was happy winning one game but I could go all the way.

"My target was to still be here after Christmas and now here I am in the final. I've just settled on the stage - once I find the rhythm, I'm good to go.

"I'll just keep doing what I've been doing. In the morning I'll go for my ham and cheese omelette, then later a pizza and then practice on the board. I'll be watching the other semi. I'm sure it will be another cracking game."