Littler and Searle Charge into the Quarter-Finals

The evening session of the 2025/26 PDC World Darts Championship on December 29th at Alexandra Palace was a spectacular display of high-stakes darts and emotional outbursts. The night was pivotal as it concluded the third round and opened the doors to the quarter-finals for the first time in this tournament.The session kicked off with Josh Rock facing Callan Rydz for the final spot in the Last 16. Rock, the Northern Irish sensation, showcased why he is considered a future world champion. Maintaining a steady 97.55 average, he kept Rydz at bay throughout the encounter. Despite Rydz’s efforts to mount a comeback, Rock’s scoring power secured a comfortable 4–1 victory, allowing "Rocky" to advance further into the championship.Following that, the first fourth-round matches commenced. Ryan Searle took on the tournament's giant-killer James Hurrell, who had previously stunned Stephen Bunting. However, "Heavy Metal" Searle showed no mercy. With a brilliant 101.04 average and clinical finishing, he swept Hurrell aside in a 4–0 whitewash. Searle’s performance was arguably his best of the season, making him the first player to officially book a spot in the quarter-finals.The grand finale featured the defending champion Luke Littler in a blockbuster clash against 2018 winner Rob Cross. The match lived up to its billing as one of the highest-quality encounters of the tournament. Littler averaged a phenomenal 106.58 and hammered in 17 maximums to break Cross’s resistance. Although "Voltage" played superbly with a 99 average, Littler’s explosive finishing—including a 128 checkout—secured a 4–2 win. The 18-year-old celebrated passionately, having survived a hostile crowd and a top-tier opponent.

Results:

• Josh Rock (97.55) 4–1 Callan Rydz (91.12)
• Ryan Searle (101.04) 4–0 James Hurrell (90.45)
• Luke Littler (106.58) 4–2 Rob Cross (98.92)

Post-Match Quotes:

1. Luke Littler: "Against Rob, you always need that extra gear. The crowd was tough today, but that only fired me up more. I’m delighted to reach the quarters."
2. Rob Cross: "Luke was on another planet today. I had my chances, but he punished every mistake immediately. He’s the best in the world right now."
3. Ryan Searle: "I've never felt my darts were this stable. A 4–0 win against James gives me massive confidence moving forward."
4. James Hurrell: "Ryan was just too strong today. I’m proud of my run here, but I just couldn't find my rhythm against him."
5. Josh Rock: "I've finally made it past the third round. Patience was the key against Callan, and now I’m only looking ahead."
6. Callan Rydz: "I'm disappointed; there was more in this match for me, but Josh was more precise in the crucial legs."

"I think I lost it"

Luke Littler reacts after beating Rob Cross and overcoming crowd jeers to book a quarter-final spot at Alexandra Palace. ?️ pic.twitter.com/GNo9RSl8fJ

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 30, 2025