English teenager Luke Littler storms to second successive darts world title
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Luke Littler reacts during his final match against Gian van Veen.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Luke Littler is seeking to win more titles on a “roller-coaster” journey, as he thrashed Dutchman Gian van Veen to win the PDC World Darts Championship for the second successive year in front of a raucous Alexandra Palace crowd on Jan 3.
The 18-year-old from England dropped the first set in the best-of-13 showdown but hit back to stamp his authority on van Veen, who had no answer to Littler’s relentless scoring.
The world No. 1 never looked troubled, apart from during the brief appearance of a wasp, banging in 180s and high checkouts as he wrapped up a 7-1 victory to claim the £1 million (S$1.73 million) first prize.
He is the first player to win back-to-back titles since Scotland’s Gary Anderson in 2016.
“The first time was so nice, I had to do it twice,” said Littler.
“It’s very special but we’ve got to keep going, adding more titles. We’re still on this roller coaster.”
Littler’s victory charge was briefly interrupted during a dazzling spell of nine successive legs, as the board needed to be replaced after van Veen cut his hand and left a small blob of blood on the surface.
The Dutchman stopped the rot to win a leg in the eighth set, but the laser-like focus of Littler was unbroken as he turned the final stages of the contest into a procession, sealing the title with a 147 checkout.
“The first set I wasn’t happy, but I kicked on from there and said to myself – give it time and you’ll find it – and it all went to plan,” Littler added.
“Credit to Gian, he’s had a great tournament. He was there every set, so I had to take my chances.”
The 23-year-old van Veen beat Anderson to reach his first world championship final and initially looked dangerous.
Having come from behind in the first set to take it after Littler missed a double, van Veen then went 2-0 ahead in the second set with checkouts of 145 and 127.
He narrowly missed a 127 checkout that would have given him a two-set lead and that proved the turning point, as his dream of emulating former Dutch champions Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld evaporated.
“Luke wasn’t in the mood to give me any more chances. He played phenomenally,” he admitted. “I missed too many chances to make it an even game. That’s why he’s world No. 1 by a margin now and back-to-back world champion.” REUTERS, AFP
