Luke Littler is happy to win ‘dirty’ when required but was pleased to come through his World Darts Championship quarter-final match against Nathan Aspinall bang in form.
The 17-year-old darts superstar prevailed 5-2 to set up a semi-final clash with Stephen Bunting, averaging 101.54 on the night. Of the 19 legs he won on New Year’s Day, he claimed 10 in 12 darts or fewer.
Despite some slow starts and tears in the earlier rounds of competition, Littler has now hit 51 maximums and is a frontrunner to claim the tournament’s Ballon d’Art title. And, 12months on from his stunning debut, the Nuke has an opportunity to reach his second World Championship final at Alexandra Palace at just 17.
Littler could be hitting form at just the right time, and admitted his victory over Aspinall saw him feel the best he has all tournament. Sometimes a dirty win can feel better however.
“It feels amazing, the perfect start to 2025, and it’s sinking in now: two tournaments, two semi-finals, and a step closer,” he said. “The only thing in my head now is making that second final.
“From start to finish, that’s the best I’ve felt at this tournament – and hopefully I’ll get the same feeling tomorrow night. There were no nerves tonight – I just enjoyed myself, as I should be doing.”
“Everyone saw how I had to dig deep in my first game against Ryan (Meikle), and sometimes if you have to win dirty it’s an even better feeling,” he added.
Littler’s opponent, Bunting, is a firm crowd-favourite and his walk-on to ‘Titanium’ can often win a few more fans. The youngster is not too concerned about whether the Ally Pally crowd takes to him more or not.
The teenager reckons he has a decent shout of earning the more vocal support however and highlighted the number of shirts supporting him. “They’ve [the crowd] been good for me tonight. They’ve also been good to Stephen,” Littler said.
“They can take their pick and support whoever they want to tomorrow. I can see quite a few Nuke shirts in here, so I think I’ve got on the better!”
While Littler has settled into the tournament, 39-year-old Bunting admitted he had some nervous ahead of a comprehensive win over Peter Wright. The Liverpool fan earned a 5-2 victory to dispatch his son’s favourite player.
“In the back room, I felt real nervous, on edge,” Bunting told Sky Sports. “Peter Wright is a fan favourite and he is my son’s favourite player.
“I felt sorry for my son, but I knew the crowd was going to turn pivotal in the middle of the game. And listen [to the crowd] in the first four sets you were unreal but you have got to do better.
“I thought to myself ‘just try and refocus’. Each and every game I have just focused on that opponent. The crowd, unbelievable again.
“Let’s go Bunting mental!”
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