Luke Littler and Luke Humphries both continued their quest to win the UK Open for the first time, as the world’s top two came through two matches on the second day of the event.

Littler produced a sparkling performance against Jermaine Wattimena in the afternoon, before scrapping to a 10-8 win against Krzysztof Ratajski.

Humphries however lost just two of the 22 legs he played all day at Butlin’s Minehead Resort, as he won 10-0 v Ryan Searle in round one, before dispatching Ryan Joyce 10-2 in the evening.

The big casualty on day two in Minehead however was Michael van Gerwen. The three time former champion, last winning it in 2020, lost 10-8 to Robert Owen.

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries on stage during the 2025 Premier League darts.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries remain on a collision course to meet in the UK Open final. Credit: PDC

Littler and Humphries through in different circumstances

World Champion Littler eased through against European Championship runner up Wattimena in round five, producing a 104.21 average to take a 10-4 win.

It was a different story in the evening session against Poland’s number one Ratajski. Although he never looked in trouble, The Polish Eagle did come back from 6-3 down to level the game at 6-6. The Nuke though always kept him at arms length, eventually hitting double two to take out 10 and win in yet another battle 10-8, following from his excellent contest with Peter Wright last night.

Littler’s reward is Gian van Veen, in a rematch of the 2023 World Youth Championship Final in this building, with the Dutchman producing the average of the day in round six. After defeating Stephen Burton 10-7 in the afternoon, he then hit an astonishing 109.9 average to defeat Damon Heta 10-9 in a rematch of a tie at the same stage 12 months ago.

Gian van Veen playing on stage at the 2025 UK Open.
Gian van Veen will play Luke Littler in a blockbuster quarter final tie. Credit: PDC

Humphries by contrast was the star of the day in Minehead. He looked in imperious form as he bids to go one better than last year and win the tournament for the first time.

Playing good friend Searle on the Main Stage in the fifth round, he whitewashed Heavy Metal with a ton average, before winning 10-2 v Joyce to cap off the superb day.

He will take on James Wade, after The Machine, who won his third UK Open four years ago, came through a tight contest against Rob Owen. The match featured big shots from both players, but Wade eventually pinged double 10 to move into the quarter finals, which followed on from fighting back from 9-7 down to win 10-9 against Cameron Menzies earlier in the day.

Owen loses to Wade but defeats Van Gerwen

Despite losing to Wade in the evening, Rob Owen was the big story in the afternoon session as he knocked out Michael van Gerwen in round five. MvG missed 17 darts at double in the first three legs, with Owen going 4-1 up at the first break. Stat Attack held his nerve as The Green Machine got back into the contest, eventually hitting double 18 to close out the victory.

Rob Owen on stage at the 2025 UK Open.
2018 semi finalist Rob Owen went out on day two of the UK Open, but also sent Michael van Gerwen packing earlier in the day. Credit: PDC

Josh Rock made the quarter finals of the UK Open for the first time in his career. After coming through a classic against Ross Smith in round five, he went 4-0 down to 2019 runner up Rob Cross. However, Rocky won 10 of the next 12 legs, closing out a 10-6 win that featured 10 180s.

Josh Rock playing on stage at the 2025 UK Open darts.
Josh Rock moved into the UK Open quarter finals for the first time. Credit: PDC

He takes on Nathan Aspinall in the quarter finals, after the 2019 winner beat Jurgen van der Velde 10-2 in round five and came through a tight game 10-8 against William O’Connor. The Asp won the match with a stunning 129 outshot.

Finally, Michael Smith is also into the last eight in Minehead for the first time since losing the final in 2022. After beating Madars Razma in round five, he took advantage of an out of sorts Dimitri Van den Bergh, coming through 10-3 in a game where the defending champion averaged 70, his lowest ever TV average.

Smith will play Jonny Clayton in the last eight, after the Welshman came through Alan Soutar 10-7, after going 5-0 down. The Ferret then beat Martin Schindler 10-4, to the delight of the Welsh crowd on St David’s Day.

UK Open Quarter Final Draw

Gian van Veen v Luke Littler

Josh Rock v Nathan Aspinall

Jonny Clayton v Michael Smith

James Wade v Luke Humphries

UK Open Round Six Results

Main Stage

Michael Smith 10-3 Dimitri Van den Bergh

Luke Littler 10-8 Krzysztof Ratajski

Luke Humphries 10-2 Ryan Joyce

Josh Rock 10-6 Rob Cross

 

Stage Two

Jonny Clayton 10-4 Martin Schindler

James Wade 10-8 Rob Owen

Gian van Veen 10-9 Damon Heta

Nathan Aspinall 10-8 William O’Connor

 

UK Open Round Five Results

Main Stage

Dimitri Van den Bergh 10-9 Chris Dobey

Luke Littler 10-4 Jermaine Wattimena

Luke Humphries 10-0 Ryan Searle

Rob Owen 10-8 Michael van Gerwen

 

Stage Two

Josh Rock 10-9 Ross Smith

Jonny Clayton 10-7 Alan Soutar

Nathan Aspinall 10-2 Jurjen van der Velde

Rob Cross 10-9 Danny Noppert

 

Stage Three

Krzysztof Ratajski 10-8 Dave Chisnall

William O’Connor 10-3 Mensur Suljovic

Michael Smith 10-7 Madars Razma

Gian van Veen 10-7 Stephen Burton

 

Stage Four

Martin Schindler 10-9 Dylan Slevin

Ryan Joyce 10-3 Danny Lauby

James Wade 10-9 Cameron Menzies

Damon Heta 10-7 Connor Scutt