Littler to meet Price in World Matchplay final, poised to challenge Taylor’s average record

Luke Littler has advanced to the final of the World Matchplay and will face Price after another commanding victory. He now stands in a position to challenge Phil Taylor’s tournament average record.

At the World Matchplay, Littler’s latest win carried him through to the title match, setting up a meeting with Price. The development followed a run of strong performances across the event and leaves Littler within reach of a long-standing statistical benchmark held by Phil Taylor. Organisers and observers noted the significance of his averages during the competition as he progressed to the final stages.

Littler’s passage to the final came courtesy of what was described as an impressive performance, which completed his route into the showpiece match. That result ensures a climax to the tournament featuring Littler and Price, with both players having navigated through earlier rounds to reach this point. The outcome of the final will determine whether Littler completes the statistical feat of surpassing Taylor’s tournament average.

The prospect of Littler eclipsing Phil Taylor’s record has become a talking point since his most recent victory. Commentary within the event has highlighted the rarity and difficulty of attaining such a tournament average, underscoring the scale of the opportunity now before Littler. While the record remains Taylor’s, Littler’s numbers throughout this edition of the World Matchplay have pushed him into contention to better that mark.

With the final against Price confirmed, attention turns to that single match as the decider both for the title and for Littler’s chance to overturn Taylor’s benchmark. The match-up pairs Littler’s current form against Price’s own tournament performance, with the result set to conclude the narrative around the average record. The winner will lift the World Matchplay title, while Littler could also leave the event having moved past Phil Taylor’s tournament average record.

The final presents a clear, immediate test for Littler’s bid to alter the statistical landscape of the competition. Victory in the title match would secure both the championship and, if his numbers hold, the surpassing of Phil Taylor’s tournament average record. The encounter with Price will therefore conclude the tournament and decide whether Littler converts his run of form into both silverware and a new record.