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Littler's first leg on his throw is strong, but with seven treble 20s in his first nine darts, Humphries is on fire.

Littler, left on 151, almost takes it out, going treble 19, treble 18, but goes low on tops.

Humphries returns to take a 12-dart leg and break throw. Gripping stuff.

You would expect this one to be a fast-paced and high-scoring affair.

With the darts, Humphries leaves himself on a 170 finish after nine darts.

A trebleless visit from Humphries leaves him on 112. He gets the treble 20 and single 20, but falls short on double 16.

Cool Hand does however come back to take out double eight and go 1-0 up.

A bit like he did earlier tonight, Luke Littler seems a bit subdued as he walks out to the oche, but he will know how big a match this is for him.

Luke Humphries is out second in what could well be darts' biggest rivalry for a very long time to come.

Humphries to throw first in this battle of the Lukes, game on!

Our first semi-final of the night is a belter as Luke Humphries faces Luke Littler.

A repeat of the World Championship final and it is also a meeting between the top two in the Premier League table.

Since that World final in January, Littler is 5-0 up in meetings between this year's two Premier League debutants.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

Michael Smith has looked the best for me, he looked great. He knows he can win.

There is good and bad with him, and the in-between isn't really cutting it.

Image source, PA Media

• Peter Wright 4-6 Luke Humphries
• Rob Cross 5-6 Luke Littler
• Gerwyn Price 3-6 Michael Smith
• Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Nathan Aspinall

That leaves us with Humphries v Littler in a repeat of the 2024 World Championship final and a re-run of 2023 too as Michael Smith faces Michael van Gerwen.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

There is always something to pick at that is a positive for Michael van Gerwen because he is that good. But, we are so used to him being unbeatable and imperious, but when he plays like that, it is like he is not playing very well because we're used to such a high level.

He was so buoyant walking off and saw me and pointed at me and said 'don't write me off'.

It just doesn't feel very good at the moment. Every game is hard graft.

That late charge from Van Gerwen saw him end the match on an average just under 100. Aspinall meanwhile was back on 95.41, partly down to how he ended that match.

That 152 checkout from Van Gerwen was him at his best, on route to finishing the match with a 40% checkout rate.

Although he did not look convincing for large parts, Van Gerwen did what was needed, picked up two crucial points and Aspinall could now end the night outside of the top four, despite his recent form.

Image source, PA Media

A couple of legs ago, Van Gerwen looked like he was going to suffer quite a significant loss to The Asp.

Mighty Mike set himself up for three darts at tops, a gamble with Aspinall on 123.

Aspinall does not cash in, but Van Gerwen does to win 6-4.

A massive win and Aspinall looks shocked.

Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports

That was imperious. It was MVG circa-2017.

A brilliant contest is forming here and you know just how big a game like this is for both men.

With the darts, Van Gerwen is left on 152. He finds two treble 20s and then cashes in on double 16 with dart three for a stunning checkout. The highest of the night by any player.

What a finish and Van Gerwen leads 5-4 after three legs won on the bounce.

Van Gerwen leaves himself on 70 and takes it out.

I'm not sure he went for treble four, but it works for him, following it with 18 and then tops to make it 4-4.

I'm not sure Aspinall can quite believe what he's just seen, but it's all square.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

It just feels like there is darting drama around every corner with Michael van Gerwen at the moment. He is just going through the ringer at the moment.

Van Gerwen has struggled in these past couple of legs but almost found a 118 checkout to half Aspinall's lead.

A single 20 and a treble 20 leaves him needing double 19, but he goes under.

Coming back, still needing 38, Van Gerwen goes an unplanned way of double three, 16, double eight, but that third dart was spot on.

Aspinall misses three darts at doubles to go 4-2 up with Van Gerwen lurking on 122.

Van Gerwen goes treble 18, single 18 and needing bull, the Dutchman puts the third dart into 25.

The Asp returns to take out double five and go 4-2 up, but that was nervy for him.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

Nathan Aspinall is an enjoyable watch. He gives absolutely everything.

A brilliant leg of darts from both men.

Aspinall set himself up for 85 to break throw, but back on 207, Van Gerwen shows his class with three treble 19s for 171.

Aspinall returns to take out 85. A 15, a 20 and then pearler of a bull to break.

He loved that finish and the crowd did too!

A great start to the fourth leg for The Asp.

A maximum is followed up by two more treble 20s, but his hopes of a nine-darter come to an end when landing dart six in treble five.

Aspinall is a bit sloppy on the finish, but he does eventually find double eight to level. Van Gerwen was out of sight in that leg.

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

There is unnecessary angst with Michael van Gerwen at the moment and it does take its toll.

Image source, PA Media

A rarely loose dart on 54 from Van Gerwen, missing a single 14 to start that checkout off.

After missing two darts at tops, Van Gerwen does find double 10 at the first time of asking to go 2-1 up.

Three held legs so far.