Michael van Gerwen is eliminated at the World Darts Championship, Scott Williams stuns three-time champion… 16-year-old Luke Littler is favorite to win the tournament

• Scott Williams beat Michael van Gerwen 5-3
• Williams will face either Luke Humphries or Dave Chisnall in the semi-finals.
• 16-year-old Luke Littler emerges as favorite to win the World Darts Championship

Michael van Gerwen’s bid for a fourth PDC Darts World Championship title ended in style as Scott Williams upset the Dutchman in the quarter-finals.

Van Gerwen was the favorite to win the tournament, but he was plagued by mistakes at Alexandra Palace.

Second-seeded Williams fell behind after taking the first set, but she fought back to take a 2-1 lead and appeared to be in control.

Williams took advantage of Ben Gerwen’s mistake and took a 3-2 lead back into the game.

Van Gerwen equalized again, while Williams took the remaining two sets and claimed a 5-3 victory.

“I’ve already knocked out two of the top 10 guys. He’s currently interim number one. So I just knocked out the number one guy in the world,” Williams said after his first win over Van Gerwen.

“He wasn’t the Michael van Gerwen we’ve seen in the last few games, but that’s not my problem.

“I had to hit a double, I had to hit a double. I probably could have won a little easier.” He missed his chance and I took my chance.

“My friends and family keep me going and I have a great crowd.

“I really like it. I don’t really care who I play next.

“Double 16 was and will always be my favorite double. I don’t have a message for my opponent, but I’m looking forward to seeing them tomorrow.

“This year isn’t off to a bad start!”

Williams will face either third seed Luke Humphries or Dave Chisnall in the last four at Alexandra Palace, with the pair meeting in the final quarter-final.

With Van Gerwen’s loss, 16-year-old Luke Littler has emerged as the new favorite to win.

The teenager defeated Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarter-finals, leaving him just two matches away from making his dream debut at the tournament.

Littler will face No. 8 seed and 2018 champion Rob Cross in Tuesday’s semifinals.