LUKE Littler is through to the semi-finals of the UK Open for the first time.

‘The Nuke’ was a comfortable 10-4 winner as the world champion fended off world youth champion Gian van Veen at Butlin’s, Minehead, on Sunday afternoon.

With a 107.30 average and seven 180s he was able to afford some slip-ups on the doubles and still get the job done.

He has been drawn to face Welsh hero Jonny Clayton in the first of tonight's semi-finals.

Littler, who clocked up 48 per cent with his checkouts, fired into a 3-0 lead.

In leg one, after throwing 140, 180 and 141, he was set for a 10-darter but proceeded to miss five shots at double before getting the job done in 16.

He was wide of the mark with double 16 for a 152 checkout in the next leg but Van Veen missed two checkout throws which Littler punished next dart for an early break.

With the Dutchman struggling with his scoring, ‘The Nuke’ quickly made it 3-0.

But Van Veen’s 161 checkout to break back and a hold of throw saw them go into the interval at 3-2.

Littler, a beaten quarter-finalist in the UK Open last year, restored order by winning the sixth and seventh legs while averaging 106.

A miss on double 20 allowed the Dutchman to hold throw, with Littler responding in kind before taking out the 10th leg for 7-3.

The world champion finished on 89 upon returning from the second interval to leave himself two legs from victory.

A fallen dart cost ‘The Nuke’ dearly as Van Veen cashed in to pull his own leg back.

Littler held throw for 9-4 and his stylish 102 checkout completed the mission of securing his place in tonight’s semi-finals.

UK Open semi-finals draw, schedule, TV times:

Luke Littler v Jonny Clayton - 7.10pm

Josh Rock v James Wade - 8.15pm.

Final: 9.30pm