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Josh Rock Claims Players Championship 10 as Luke Littler Faces Early Exit
In a surprising turn of events at the Players Championship 10 held in Leicester, reigning World Champion Luke Littler fell short of his usual form, experiencing an early departure from the tournament. Meanwhile, Josh Rock demonstrated impressive skill by clinching the title, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Littler, known for his exceptional talent, recorded an average of just 97.82 as he was defeated 6-4 by Scott Williams in the quarter-finals. Williams, who had an average of 86, capitalized on Littler’s struggles to secure the victory and advance.
Rock’s journey to the title was marked by notable performances, including a 7-5 win over Williams in the semi-finals, followed by an 8-4 triumph against Cameron Menzies in the final. This victory represented Rock’s first PDC title for 2025 and his fourth overall in Players Championship events.
Reflecting on his performance, Rock emphasized the importance of consistent scoring throughout the day. “It was probably my scoring right throughout the day. I felt like I had important checkouts at the right times. When it comes to three darts for a checkout, I’ve been hitting the ton-plus checkouts, thankfully,” he stated following his win.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Rock added, “It feels absolutely fantastic. I’m racking them up [PDC titles]. It’s my fifth on the PDC Tour, but I still want to prove it at the majors. There’s a lot to tick off the list. Being a seed doesn’t mean anything; it’s whoever you play in front of you. The game of darts has gone through the roof. I’m not here for money, I’m here to win titles.”
Littler’s path to the quarter-finals included wins over Adam Lipscombe and Dimitri Van den Bergh, both by a score of 6-3, followed by a 6-4 victory against Jim Williams and a 6-2 win over Justin Hood. However, his journey ended against Williams, who managed to maintain his composure under pressure.
Williams reached the semi-finals for the first time in a ProTour tournament since 2023, though he couldn’t overcome the high-flying Rock, who demonstrated an impressive average of 110.34 and executed a stunning 150 checkout during his 6-1 victory over Martin Schindler prior to facing Williams.
In another quarter-final match, Cameron Menzies achieved a notable 6-4 victory over celebrated player Raymond van Barneveld, recording 10 140s. Menzies’ success continued as he overcame Michael Smith 7-5 to secure a spot in the final against Rock.
Stephen Bunting also showcased flashes of his former brilliance in anticipation of his upcoming Premier League clash against Nathan Aspinall. Averaging an impressive 111.72, Bunting secured a 6-3 win over Mike De Decker but fell to Smith 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
What Lies Ahead for the Premier League
The excitement continues as the Premier League darts action moves to the Uber Arena in Berlin on Thursday, April 3. Fans can look forward to a thrilling showdown between Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, alongside a match featuring Luke Littler against Chris Dobey. Watch Night Nine of Premier League Darts live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ from 6 PM – stream with NOW.
Sky Sports will continue to be the exclusive home for the Premier League in 2025, broadcasting each night live along with other major events such as the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, and more! Stream darts and more top sport with NOW
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www.skysports.com