Luke Littler predicts how World Darts Championship closing vs Michael van Gerwen will unfold
Luke Littler will face Michael van Gerwen in the PDC World Championship final on Friday night and the teenage sensation is expecting a classic showdown at Alexandra Palace
Darts prodigy Luke Littler is brimming with confidence ahead of what he reckons could be an epic face-off with darts heavyweight Michael van Gerwen in the Paddy Power PDC World Championship final.
The teen talent, 17, from Warrington, triumphed over Stephen Bunting with a staggering 6-1 win in their semi-final encounter, catapulting him to a finale against the three-time champion Van Gerwen.
Littler has demonstrated formidable skill, and despite their previous 12 matches where Van Gerwen marginally leads their rivalry 6-5, Littler was victorious in their latest bout in October, defeating Van Gerwen 6-1.A jubilant Littler shared his thoughts with Sky Sports post-semi-final victory at the buzzing Alexandra Palace, reports the Mirror. He said: “It’s been an amazing tournament so far.
“People will say I was looking at the title throughout the tournament but I was looking at the first game against Ryan Meikle, and ever since I’ve just got to beat what’s in front of me. I’m so glad to win tonight.
“I’ve played a lot better and won plenty of titles leading up to this, but that’s what we do, we lead up to the big one. There are majors all year round but I can’t wait for tomorrow night.“If we [Littler and Van Gerwen] both turn up like we did tonight, it [the final] is going to be really good. As soon as Luke Humphries went out, that’s what everyone was looking at.
“I just had to focus on my quarter-final and semi-final, and now I’ve done that I can focus on Michael tomorrow. We all know he’s hunting for that world title but I’m hunting for my first. The same as last night – go home, chill out and be back tomorrow.”Earlier, on Thursday, mighty Michael van Gerwen clinched a 6-1 victory over Chris Dobey. The darting titan, aged 35, is hankering after his time at the top once more with the Sid Waddell trophy having eluded him since 2019 and is geared up for grand celebrations at Ally Pally.
Reflecting on his performance, he told Sky Sports: “I can be happy with the performance. Of course, I wasn’t playing as explosive as I did in the last game,” acknowledging the pressure of such high stakes. “I’m here with a mission, with a target. As part of it, you’re always going to have ups and downs.
“We’re not even close yet. We’re so far away yet. The title is far away. That’s what you have to keep telling yourself. I want to keep battling while I’ve got everything in my body. It’s my life.“But that can wait until tomorrow. I haven’t won f*** all yet. It’s going to be incredible. The crowd’s loving it, the people at home are loving it. This is darts at a high level. I can be happy with the performance. Of course I wasn’t playing as explosive as I was in the last game, but I was efficient.”
