Luke Littler believes he still has a long way to go before becoming the “greatest ever” darts player, but he is motivated to keep checking achievements off his list, starting with back-to-back wins at the World Match Play in Blackpool.
Littler moved one step closer to that goal with a dramatic 11-8 win over Nathan Aspinall to secure a place in the quarter-finals against Josh Rock.
What a truly amazing performance from Littler. After hitting a 9-darter in the opening leg, he found near perfection again in the fourth leg, but was slightly narrow at D15.
He also clocked 14 180s in the event and his average of 113.68 is the second highest ever recorded in World Match Play, behind Phil Taylor’s 144.99 in 2010.
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Luke Littler produced a stunning nine-darter in his opener against Nathan Aspinall at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.
Littler continues his quest to become the first player to reach Blackpool in consecutive years since Michael van Gerwen in 2017, with the world number one now having the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters under his belt. He has also defended Match Play, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship finals.
With a clean sweep still in his sights, Littler will have to start the charge by defending his title on the beach. So how close is Littler to becoming ‘the greatest of all time’?
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Nathan Aspinall gives darts to the crowd after Luke Littler almost hits his second nine-dart of the match.
“Obviously the conversation has been going on, ever since I first came on the scene, it’s been, ‘Is he going to be the next Phil Taylor?’” Littler said.
“I’ve always said, if I don’t win 16 of these, 16 world championships and all the others, I think I’ll be the best.
“Will I still be around in 16 years? Who knows?
“If I win 16 consecutive world championships, I will disappear.”
Could Littler anticipate the 9-darter? ‘I saved it until later’
In his epic battle with Aspinall, Littler was D15 shy of two 9-darters, a feat only Taylor achieved on TV.
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Nathan Aspinall produced a superb Big Fish finish over Luke Littler to put pressure on The Nuke’s lead.
Hitting a 9 from his first nine darts was an incredible moment, but Littler’s practice may have given him a hint that one might come up.
He added: “I wanted to do my best every game and I think I did that tonight.”
“I think I had the highest average at one point and Phil had 114, so I know that record is going to be broken.
“Everyone asks me how I did it, but I don’t really know. It was the first play of the game and I went on to get back to double 15, so not hitting two in a game was really painful.
“Today, while practicing at home, I hit 1-11 against a dart bot. I actually missed double 15, and then my sister’s boyfriend said, ‘Oh, you’re the best, you.’
“I saved it until later and then hit it.”
Aspinall: Best match of my career
It may be difficult to lose such a dramatic and captivating encounter, but Aspinall used the loss as motivation, describing it as the best competition he has ever participated in, and will use it to fuel his “hunger” moving forward.
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Luke Littler admits the World Match Play format is ‘in his own hands’.
Aspinall said on social media after the game, “This is the most enjoyable darts game of my career.
“It had absolutely everything and I gave it my all.
“Fair play to Luke Littler, you were unreal. Visiting the treble six times in 19 legs is a statistic that stands out to me. Wow.
“It has definitely brought back the hunger. The support has been unreal.”
What’s happening at World Match Play on Wednesday?
Second round action continues on Wednesday, broadcast live on Sky Sports, with four more big matches scheduled.
Cameron Menzies will be looking for a big win over world number two Luke Humphries when he takes on Ross Smith.
Gerwyn Price takes on fellow former world champion Rob Cross.
World number three Gian van Veen takes on fellow Dutchman and well-informed Wessel Nijman, while James Wade takes on Ryan Searle.
Who will be the winner of this year’s World Match Play Darts? Luke Littler is set to defend his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream the best sports including darts with NOW.
