Littler had been imperious in Milton Keynes but Clayton had also impressed and broke the tournament record with his 112.77 average in the first round.
Clayton still averaged over a ton in the quarters, even though his 103.96 and eight 180s was bettered by Littler’s 108.5 and nine maximums – but the Welshman was superior on the doubles.
‘The Ferret’ had a 60% checkout percentage to Littler’s 35% – and had three ton-plus finishes including a 128 and 138 when taking the opening set.
Littler, who turned 18 in January, went off the boil as Clayton took the next two sets to lead 3-1, and even though the world champion got back to 3-2 Clayton kept his nerve to book his spot in the semis.
“The stage likes me,” Clayton told ITV4. “Obviously Luke didn’t play his A game, but it’s a battle and I got over the line.
“He’s a cracking guy and great darts player, with a great future. He’s given me a big lesson the last two games I played him, so I got one back.
“It went my way and it was my day.”
Chisora spoke in the build-up to his UK send-off about it being an emotional week and those feelings got the better of him when he entered the venue earlier in
Derek Chisora stunned Otto Wallin with two knockdowns on his way to a unanimous-decision victory on Saturday in his last fight in
The top stories and transfer rumours from Sunday's newspapers...THE SUN Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon star
Super-featherweight boxer John Cooney, 28, has died after his defeat by Welshman Nathan Howells in Belfast last Saturday.The Irish boxer suffered an intracrania