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Van Gerwen reached the semi-finals in a rematch of final month’s remaining at Alexandra Palace the place Littler turned darts’ youngest world champion, aged 17.
There was a bit little bit of added spice to the build-up when Van Gerwen criticised {the teenager}’s timekeeping at a media day on Wednesday.
Littler stored his fellow gamers ready for 45 minutes and mentioned he had overslept after taking a morning nap.
“They need to stop treating him like a baby. He’s not a baby any more, he’s 18 years old now,” Van Gerwen mentioned.
Littler mentioned earlier than the match: “He’s not wrong, I was late. I’m 18 now, responsible for my actions and did get a little telling off.”
There was no hanging about when the pair reached the oche as they traded 11-dart legs earlier than Littler’s 161 checkout made it 2-2.
Van Gerwen hit a 114 end to go 4-3 forward however went on to overlook 4 match darts and Littler nailed bullseye to power a decider, earlier than the Dutchman lastly prevailed on double eight.
Humphries noticed off Nathan Aspinall 6-2, whereas Stephen Bunting’s return to the Premier League after a decade away ended with a 6-4 loss to Cross.
Dobey edged the ending as he beat Wales’ 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price 6-4 within the opening match.
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