Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler into semi-finals of World Darts Championship
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Luke Littler had a nervous start, losing the first two legs of the opening set, but he soon found his stride to win that first set.
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LONDON – Sixteen-year-old Luke Littler declared that it will “take a lot to stop me” after he became the youngest player to reach the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship, following a 5-1 win over Brendan Dolan at Alexandra Palace on Jan 1.
The teenager from England had a nervous start in London, losing the first two legs of the opening set, but he soon found his stride to win the first set, and had little trouble in seeing off 50-year-old Dolan from Northern Ireland.
“Wow. I’m in the semi-final on my debut,” Littler told Sky Sports. “If I keep it up, I’ve got a good chance. Now I am dreaming! I’m two games away. I’m definitely thinking about lifting the title.”
He has already proven he is ready to compete on the biggest stage after taking out UK Open winner Andrew Gilding and his hero Raymond van Barneveld on the way to the last eight and he maintained that form against Dolan.
“It feels unbelievable. I would never have thought I would have got to the semis on my debut year. I’m glad to get here… I’ve earned it,” Littler added.
“Brendan was just another opponent in my way and I have brushed him aside and now I am into the semi-final.
“It’s going to take a lot to stop me, based on my performances so far. But it is about whatever Luke Littler turns up.
“I have got the ability to go all the way, if it’s not to be tomorrow night, it’s not to be. I know I have got a good chance and I have got a good feeling I could go all the way tomorrow.”
The youngster was scheduled to face 2018 champion Rob Cross after press time. Cross, 33, had made a remarkable comeback from 4-0 down to beat Chris Dobey 5-4 in the quarter-finals.
“(I was) 4-0 down and I’ve not played. I didn’t feel like myself. I just pushed on,” Cross, who won the 2018 world title on his debut, told Sky Sports of his match against Dobey.
“Credit to Chris early on, he gave me a kick in the mouth. It’s all about me, though. I still believed even when I was 4-0 down. I have got nerves of steel.
“If I play Luke Littler in the semis... look, he is 16 and whatever he achieves he has a bright future. If he comes through that he will probably be the favourite.”
Pundits also believe that there is no reason that Littler cannot go all the way.
John Part, a three-time world champion, told The Guardian: “He is absolutely at home on this stage, that’s the best way to put it. He loves it up there… he’s an artist.
“He’s intelligent. He’s young but not new to darts. He knows the game inside out.”
The Guardian also reported that Littler had described himself as an ordinary teenager when he is not competing.
“Just wake up, play on my Xbox, have some food, have a chuck on the board and go to bed, that’s it,” he said.
However, he exudes confidence when he is doing what he does best, and thrives on the sport’s rowdy crowds.
He even nonchalantly asked spectators during his quarter-final match against Dolan if he should win the leg with a bull’s eye, while he also appeared to love it when the crowd constantly chanted “you’re going to school in the morning”.
Technically, Littler has recently left school but there is also no reason for him to go back any time soon. He won £100,000 (S$168,000) for his victory on Jan 1 and will earn £500,000 if he wins the title.
It will really take a lot to stop him now. REUTERS, AFP
