PDC world darts: Van Veen beats Humphries as Littler wins over the crowd

Luke Littler beat Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0 at Alexandra Palace and Gian van Veen defeated Luke Humphries 5-1 to reach the semi-finals.

Luke Littler opened the quarter-finals at Alexandra Palace with a 5-0 win over Krzysztof Ratajski. He received a mixed reception after earlier boos, but the crowd warmed to him as the match progressed. Littler produced high scoring and key checkouts, including a 170 to clinch the opening set and a 128 finish on the bull. Later the same evening Gian van Veen beat Luke Humphries 5-1 to reach his first semi-final. Match details: - Luke Littler beat Krzysztof Ratajski 5-0; he threw an average of 100, hit 15 of 27 doubles and won 15 legs to five. - Ratajski created chances but managed 23% on his doubles during the match. - Littler finished several pivotal legs, including a 170 checkout in the deciding leg of the opening set and a run of six perfect darts in the third set. - Gian van Veen beat Luke Humphries 5-1, averaged 105.4 and hit 55% of his doubles. - Van Veen moved up to No 3 in the provisional world rankings and secured a place in next year's Premier League. Summary: Luke Littler is set to face Ryan Searle in Friday's semi-final after his quarter-final win, while Gian van Veen will meet Gary Anderson in the other semi-final. Both results reshape the semi-final line-up and set up two contrasting match-ups for the next round.