Luke Littler ‘shellshocked’ by rival Luke Humphries throughout New Zealand Masters
Darts sensation Luke Humphries pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback at the New Zealand Darts Masters, leaving Luke Littler gobsmacked.
The semi-final clash saw Littler waste a 6-2 lead as Humphries hit back with five consecutive legs to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Post-match, Littler was visibly gutted, barely managing a handshake without a hint of a smile.
Humphries on the other hand was delighted with the win over Littler booking his place in his first first-ever World Series final.
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The world of darts witnessed another chapter in their burgeoning rivalry down in New Zealand, with Littler seemingly sailing to victory at 6-2. But the PDC world champion had other ideas, staging a stunning comeback.
The drama peaked when Littler fluffed a 122 finish in the deciding leg, leaving Humphries to coolly check out 76 with just two darts – a treble 20 and a double 8.
What did you make of Luke Littler’s defeat to Luke Humphries? Let us know in the comments section
(Image: (Image: Getty))
The commentary of the match between the two captured the emotions of the clash perfectly. “Well this is astonishing,” they said. “6-2 down, and Luke Humphries has turned it round with an incredible performance. Luke Littler looks absolutely shell-shocked. I think we all are.”
To rub salt into the wound, Littler had earlier squandered two match darts that would have seen him through to the final. Despite his early dominance and Humphries’ struggle with doubles, it was the latter who had the last laugh.
The Premier League darts champ was desperate for a comeback in New Zealand following his Australian Darts Masters thrashing at the hands of Gerwyn Price. Within a matter of minutes, Littler found himself trailing 5-0 to Price, who went on to win the match 8-1.
And the defeat to Price denied Littler an eighth title in as many months. Afterwards, he admitted he would be targeting the tournament in New Zealand as an opportunity to bounce back. “Fair play to Gezzy. I couldn’t keep up with him there,” said Litter.
He added: “He didn’t miss much and he deserved the win. There’s no excuses. I was poor in that final, but hopefully I can carry my form from my first two games into New Zealand.”
Littler had already won World Series titles in Bahrain and Poland this year, as well as European Tour events in Austria and Belgium. But his semi-final capitulation to Humphries is a blow to organisers, who miss out on being able to showcase the game’s most marketable current star in the final.
