Luke Littler Dominates Krzysztof Ratajski, Advances in World Darts Championship
The 18-year-old sensation, Luke Littler, continued his impressive run at the World Darts Championship, defeating Krzysztof Ratajski in a commanding performance that showcased both his scoring prowess and clinical finishing.
Luke Littler’s quarter-final clash with Krzysztof Ratajski was largely as expected, with the young Englishman demonstrating why he’s become the talk of the tournament. Despite a fluctuating atmosphere at Alexandra Palace, with initial jeers giving way to enthusiastic support, Littler remained focused, averaging impressively throughout the match.
The evening began with a somewhat mixed reception for Littler as he walked on stage, greeted by a blend of boos and cheers. However, once the match commenced, the crowd largely rallied behind the rising star. Ratajski, a seasoned professional who has overcome significant health challenges – including a recent aneurysm and two brain surgeries – provided a stern test, particularly in the early stages.
Littler started strongly, checking out 128 on the bull in the first leg of the opening set. He then secured a 3-2 victory in the first set, highlighted by a stunning 170 checkout. “It’s the big fish,” one commentator noted, describing the celebratory reaction from Littler and the crowd.
The second set was a swift affair, with Littler winning 3-0 in just four minutes. A senior official described the performance as “brutal stuff,” emphasizing Littler’s ruthless efficiency. He continued to showcase his scoring ability, consistently hitting 180s and putting immense pressure on Ratajski.
Ratajski managed to briefly disrupt Littler’s momentum, breaking in the fourth set and averaging around 95. However, Littler’s superior quality ultimately proved decisive. He responded emphatically, winning the third set 3-0 with an average of almost 119. This included hitting back-to-back 180s at the start of one leg, fueling hopes of a nine-darter.
Littler continued to dominate, consistently finding the outer ring and capitalizing on Ratajski’s missed opportunities. A key moment came when Ratajski missed a dart at double 16, allowing Littler to close out legs with precision. One analyst observed that Ratajski simply couldn’t afford to miss doubles against an opponent of Littler’s caliber.
The match wasn’t without its moments of tension. Littler missed several darts at double top when attempting to close out sets, allowing Ratajski to stay alive on occasion. However, the “Polish Eagle” was unable to consistently punish these errors, often faltering on his own finishing attempts.
As the match progressed, the atmosphere at Ally Pally became increasingly supportive of Littler, with the crowd chanting “walking in a Littler wonderland.” This positive energy seemed to fuel his performance, as he continued to deliver exceptional darts.
Littler’s victory sets up an intriguing semi-final encounter. The win underscores his potential to become a dominant force in the world of darts, despite his young age and the immense pressure he faces. The question now is whether he can maintain this level of performance and ultimately lift the coveted World Championship trophy.
