In a remarkable display of skill and tenacity, Luke Littler has etched his name in the annals of darts history by winning the prestigious World Matchplay title. The young prodigy clinched this coveted trophy by defeating veteran player James Wade 18-13 in a thrilling match held in Blackpool, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career. This victory not only crowned him as the World Matchplay champion but also made him the fifth player to achieve darts’ Triple Crown, joining the ranks of legends such as Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Luke Humphries. This achievement involves winning the Matchplay, the Premier League, and the World Championship.
Luke Littler, at just 18 years old, showcased incredible resilience during the match. The final began with a surprising start as Wade quickly established a 5-0 lead. However, Littler, undeterred by the early setback, rallied brilliantly to secure five consecutive legs, leveling the contest. His initial push was a testament to his determination, and he finally took the lead at 7-6, demonstrating poise and skill as the match unfolded.
The quality of play in the final was exceptional, with both players achieving three-dart averages exceeding 101 and hitting more than 40% of their double attempts. Littler notably displayed a powerful performance by scoring 17 maximum 180s during the match. As the game intensified, Littler built on his momentum and seized the opportunity during critical moments, eventually finishing with an impressive run of four consecutive legs that propelled him to victory, alongside a substantial £200,000 prize.
Post-match, an exuberant Littler expressed his dreams and aspirations to Sky Sports. Acknowledging his admiration for Phil Taylor, who won the tournament 16 times, Littler stated, “Phil is my idol – he won here 16 times and now my name will be on this trophy.” He conveyed his commitment to achieving his goal of winning one title from every major tournament, indicating that he still has several more titles he aspires to capture in the future.
The journey to the final was not smooth sailing for Littler. Prior to facing Wade, he encountered Josh Rock in the semi-finals, where he was down 5-0 early on. Nonetheless, Littler demonstrated his mettle by hitting a nine-dart finish and ultimately coming back to win the match with a score of 17-14. This dramatic comeback set the stage for his final clash against Wade, who was 24 years older than Littler and had his own remarkable history in the Matchplay, having previously won it in 2007.
As for the implications of his victory, Littler’s success has further positioned him in the competitive darts arena. With the win, he has crossed above the £1.5 million mark in career earnings. Currently ranked world number two, he is now within striking distance of world number one, Luke Humphries, who has accrued just under £1.8 million. As the PDC world rankings are determined based on a rolling two-year period of televised events, Littler stands to benefit from any potential wins in upcoming tournaments, especially with the World Championship looming in December.
In summary, Luke Littler’s remarkable performance in the World Matchplay final not only crowned him as the youngest champion in the tournament’s history but also highlighted his potential as a future star in the sport of darts. As he sets his sights on further major titles and pursues the number one ranking, the darts community will undoubtedly be keen to watch this young talent’s continued ascent in the competitive landscape.
