Littler's bid for major clean sweep ended by crushing Clayton defeat

Luke Littler's hopes of 2026 PDC major clean sweep over after defeat to Jonny Clayton at World Series of Darts Finals Jonny Clayton ended Luke Littler's challenge in Amsterdam at World Series of Darts Finals and will now take on fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price in Sunday's second semi-final; Littler's hopes of calendar year clean sweep ended; Ross Smith faces Gian van Veen in other semi-final Sunday 20 September 2026 16:41, UK Luke Littler's bid for a clean sweep of all major PDC titles in 2026 is over after a crushing 10-4 defeat to Jonny Clayton in the last eight at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. The world No 1 had won the first six premier events of the season following his World Championship triumph in January with the World Masters, UK Open, Premier League, World Cup of Darts and World Matchplay. Littler was hoping to add the World Series of Darts Finals, World Grand Prix, European Championship, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals trophies to complete a historic monopoly over the year - but ran into an inspired Clayton. - Darts in 2026: Tournament calendar and winners - Latest Sky Sports deals or stream no contract - Listen to Sky Sports' Love the Darts podcast Clayton will take on fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price in Sunday's second semi-final, after England's Ross Smith meets home favourite Gian van Veen in the first semi-final, with the final to follow. What next for Littler? Littler can still sweep the ranking events - the World Series Finals, like the World Cup and Premier League, is non-ranked - if he wins the remaining four majors in Leicester, Dortmund, Wolverhampton and Minehead. 'The Nuke' has work to do to reach the Players Championship Finals, though, as he sits 125th on the Order of Merit in that series with six events of the regular season remaining and only the top 64 players advance to the finale in Somerset in late November The teenager had hinted he may not try to qualify for the Players Championship Finals should his hopes of a major sweep end in the Netherlands. The next Players Championship events are in Den Bosch on Tuesday and Wednesday. Clayton: Not the Littler we know but I took my chances Jonny Clayton to ITV4 after victory over Luke Littler: "To be honest, I just thought: 'Relax, go out and try your best.' What a player he [Littler] is. He wasn't full flow today, but you have to take your chances. "Luke missed a lot of darts at doubles, and that's the name of the game. You have to take your chances. I did that today, and it's brilliant. The last dart in a double hurts, and it puts pressure on a player. But all respect to Luke, he's fantastic. He just gave me chances upon chances, and that's not the Littler we all know. "But Jonny Clayton can play darts as well." Van Barneveld: Everyone is fallible - Littler felt the pressure! Raymond van Barneveld to ITV4: "It's the pressure. Everyone talks about: 'Can he do the whole year and win all the big majors.' It gives big pressure. "He wants to perform, and he's the best player at the moment, but everyone is fallible. Everyone wants your scalp, and Jonny Clayton did it perfectly today. "In all honestly, Littler missed some crucial shots. Everyone thought Littler would win the whole event, but now it's really open for all four players left." Littler latest big name to exit in Amsterdam Littler had suffered scares earlier at the World Series of Darts Finals, rallying from 3-1 down to defeat Danny Noppert 6-4 in round one and then surviving a last-leg shoot-out versus Nathan Aspinall to win 10-9 in the last 16. Victory at the World Series of Darts would have been Littler's second in three years at this event, having beaten Michael Smith to triumph in 2024 before losing to Michael van Gerwen in the final 12 months ago. World No 2 Luke Humphries was eliminated by Dirk van Duijvenbode in round two on Saturday, while defending champion Michael van Gerwen fell in the opening round on Thursday, losing to Daryl Gurney. Van Gerwen's World Series Finals victory last season is the only major he has won since 2023 and he has failed to reach an individual quarter-final in this year's majors. The 37-year-old did make it to the final of the World Cup of Darts for Netherlands alongside doubles partner Van Veen, where the Dutch duo were beaten by England's Littler and Humphries. That World Cup victory for Littler in Frankfurt in June means the European Championship is the only major title absent from his CV - something he will hope to rectify in Dortmund later this year. Sunday's World Series of Darts Finals fixtures and results Final TBC vs TBC Semi-finals Ross Smith vs Gian van Veen Gerwyn Price vs Jonny Clayton Quarter-finals Ross Smith 10-7 Josh Rock Gian van Veen 10-8 Dirk van Duijvenbode Gerwyn Price 10-7 James Wade Jonny Clayton 10-4 Luke Littler Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4), Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract. [Image text:] skySports PAME