World number one Luke Littler delivered a stunning nine-darter in the World Matchplay, sealing a 11-8 victory over Nathan Aspinall at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. The Warrington teenager capped the match with a perfect leg, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. His performance, highlighted by a 113.68 average – the second highest in the tournament’s history – and 14 180s, marked a significant display. Littler’s triumph came after a back-and-forth battle with Aspinall, who fought back to 7-7 before Littler reasserted control.
Nine-Darter Magic in Blackpool
Littler’s nine-darter occurred in the first leg, with the teenager finishing on double 15 to set the tone. The crowd’s reaction was electric, with Aspinall even jokingly offering his darts to the audience to test if they could replicate the feat. Though Littler missed a second chance for a nine-darter in the fourth leg, his composure shone through as he closed out the match with a 52 checkout. The nine-darter just happened. These guys [the crowd] were booing me at the beginning and then they started cheering me on!
Littler said, reflecting on the dramatic shift in support.
The victory propelled Littler into the quarter-finals, where he will face the winner of the Josh Rock versus Stephen Bunting match. Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen’s campaign ended in a 14-12 loss to Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Humphries’ Narrow Victory in Milton Keynes
The match, which saw both players average over 105, was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. Humphries described the moment as a great moment but if I don’t win the match it means nothing, so I’m really glad I got the win to go with it.
Littler, who averaged 107.88 in that match, emphasized the importance of his performance: I played very well tonight, far better than Friday.
His dominance in the tournament has positioned him as a strong contender for the title, with fans eagerly awaiting his next challenge.
Poland Darts Open: Littler’s Fifth EuroTour Title
In a separate but equally significant tournament, Littler claimed his fifth EuroTour title at the Poland Darts Open, defeating Gian van Veen 8-4 in the final. Van Veen achieved his first-ever televised nine-darter in the fifth leg, thrilling the Krakow crowd with a 141 checkout after two 180s. However, Littler’s consistency proved decisive, and he ultimately secured the victory.
The win, worth £35,000, further solidified Littler’s position at the top of the world rankings. Van Veen, despite the loss, celebrated his historic nine-darter. Littler’s triumph in Poland marked his fifth EuroTour victory. The teenager will not add to that tally at the European Darts Trophy next month, as he has not entered the tournament.
What’s Next for Littler?
With his sights set on the World Matchplay title, Littler faces a daunting schedule. His next challenge will be against Josh Rock, a player he has previously defeated in high-stakes encounters. Me and Josh [Rock] have had some really good games in the past, and hopefully we can have another one,
Littler said. Meanwhile, the broader darts community is watching closely as Littler continues to break records and redefine the sport’s standards.
As the season progresses, Littler’s performances across multiple tournaments highlight his versatility and mental toughness. With each victory, he not only adds to his growing legacy but also raises the bar for his peers. The coming weeks will test his ability to maintain this form, but for now, the darts world is captivated by the teenage sensation’s meteoric rise.
Sources: bbc.co.uk, Skysports.
