2024 UK Open: Luke Littler and Luke Humphries into the Last 16

As the 2024 Ladbrokes UK Open entered its second day of darting excitement, the fifth round commenced with the remaining 32 players battling for their place in history at Butlin’s Minehead. Notable contenders like world number one Luke Humphries and the rising 17-year-old star Luke Littler took centre stage, with the format mirroring the previous round, featuring best-of-19 legs. 

For a comprehensive breakdown of the fifth-round results, please see the conclusion of this article.

In the first fifth round tie on the mainstage, former two-time world champion Gary Anderson faced off against former Masters winner Chris Dobey in a match rife with the unpredictability of the tournament. The encounter kicked off with both players breaking each other's throw with impressive 14-dart legs, setting the tone for a closely contested battle. 

As the match progressed, the competitors exchanged the next four legs, resulting in a 3-3 deadlock before Anderson seized control. With a pivotal break of throw in the seventh leg followed by a crucial hold, Anderson surged ahead to claim a two-leg lead. 

Demonstrating flashes of his dominant form, the 2018 UK Open champion extended his lead to 7-3 with two quick-fire legs, showcasing his prowess on the stage. However, Dobey mounted a resilient comeback after the interval, capitalising on Anderson's missed opportunities on the double to narrow the gap. 

Despite Anderson's occasional struggles with finishing, highlighted by Dobey's resilience, the Scotsman clinched victory with an impressive 115 three-dart finish in the penultimate leg. Disregarding his missed chances on doubles throughout the match, the Scotsman’s display hinted at his potential to vie for the tournament title once again. 

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Luke Littler opened his account with a sensational 152 three-dart finish, following Schindler's hold of throw in the initial leg. Maintaining an exceptional standard, the 17-year-old showcased remarkable consistency, boasting an average of over 110 and a flawless 100% checkout rate in the early stages of the match.

Although, regardless of Littler's impressive scoring, Schindler's proficiency allowed him to confidently compete in the match, which would even see him take a 5-3 lead. Yet, Littler swiftly responded, breaking back immediately and holding his throw to level the game at 5-5, despite facing challenges on the doubles. 

Following a brief interval, Littler regained momentum, breaking Schindler's throw with a remarkable shanghai 120 checkout, followed by an 88 finish on his favoured bullseye, surging to a 7-5 lead. Despite Schindler's valiant efforts to keep pace, Littler's exceptional performance proved insurmountable. With an impressive average of 101.86, Littler sealed his victory with yet another ton-plus finish, claiming a 10-8 triumph in a match characterised by outstanding darting prowess.

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Damon Heta and Nathan Aspinall brought their A-game to the mainstage for their fifth-round clash. Aspinall kicked off with an impressive 154 three-dart checkout, swiftly followed by Heta's own brilliant 122 finish. The momentum shifted with Aspinall securing a crucial break of throw in the fifth leg, leading 3-2 into the first short interval. Aspinall, fresh from his Premier League night win in Exeter, displayed confidence and freedom as he surged to a 5-3 lead against Heta.

Aspinall's nerves began to resurface as he began to miss several opportunities on doubles, but Heta wouldn’t begin to capitalise on these errors yet. However, Heta's initial lapse in concentration was short-lived, as he nearly staged a perfect comeback, levelling the game at 8-8.

In a surprising turn, Heta ramped up the pressure towards the end of the match, delivering a flurry of high-scoring rounds. The unlikely final leg decider saw Heta maintain his composure, clinching victory despite Aspinall's relentless pressure. It was a remarkable result for the Heat, knocking out the inform Aspinall.

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In a display of dominance, Luke Humphries asserted his authority early in the match against Benjamin Reus with a blistering 158 three-dart finish in the second leg, following a rapid hold of throw in the first. Averaging over 103, Humphries controlled the game's tempo, leading 4-1 as they entered the first short interval. 

Despite Reus's efforts, the world number one proved too formidable, showcasing his prowess with a stunning 105 checkout, culminating in an outer bull followed by two double 20s. Humphries sealed his victory with a commanding 10-3 score line, firmly establishing himself as a leading contender for the tournament title.

Image credit: PDC