Luke Littler and Luke Humphries march on to UK Open quarter-finals

Luke LIttler

Teenage sensation Luke Littler advanced into the quarter-finals of the UK Open after he swept aside Dave Chisnell at Butlin’s in Minehead, while world champion Luke Humphries has also progressed.

Littler brushed aside Chisnall 10-5, but did face a scare against Martin Schindler earlier in the afternoon when he was 5-3 down but recovered to win 10-8.

Littler will have another afternoon outing on Sunday in his last-eight tie before a possible semi-final and final tie in the evening session.

That puts him three wins away from a maiden major title and he says claiming glory at Minehead Butlin’s would be a new high.

“It would be unbelievable, I have not even thought about it, I will just take it game by game,” he said.

“That’s what every player has to do, play the game and if you are lucky enough to win you will go on to the next one.”

Littler could be on course for a rematch of the World Championship final against Humphries as the world champion also advanced to the last eight.

Humphries is trying to claim a fourth successive major televised title following wins at the Grand Slam of Darts, Players Championship and World Championship and looks a good bet.

He posted routine wins against Benjamin Reus and Mervyn King and is eyeing a date with Littler.

“Me and probably Luke Littler have been the most consistent players in the tournament so far so if we draw each other it will be a fantastic game,” Humphries said.

“If it’s in the final, if I get that far, then even better.

“It would be great for the fans to watch and we have been the most consistent in the tournament.”

There were more big-name casualties on Saturday as Michael Smith and Gary Anderson followed Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price in suffering early exits.