Michael van Gerwen burst into tears after ending Luke Littler’s successful streak – and the boy marvel admitted: “He got me in the end.”
In a pulsating Dutch Masters closing, Van Gerwen gained 8-6 in entrance of his dwelling crowd in Den Bosch – regardless of Littler’s beautiful 106.74 common. After dropping to the teenage sensation of darts within the Bahrain Masters final eight days earlier, MVG promised: “I’ll get him, don’t worry” – and he was nearly as good as his phrase.
But the three-times world champion needed to face up to one other barnstorming hail of arrows from 17-year-old Littler, who outgunned MVG 5-3 in 180 maximums over 14 memorable legs. Magnanimous in defeat, simply as he was gracious in victory at Van Gerwen’s expense in Bahrain, Littler mentioned: “Throughout the game he was unbelievable – I put him under so much pressure but he just wouldn’t miss.
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“Obviously the crowd wanted Michael to win, I get that, and he finally got me at the end. We are going to have some battles and now I can’t wait to go on to Cardiff next week.”
The opening evening of the BetMGM Premier League in Wales on Thursday guarantees to be one other thunderous event. Littler, who has overwhelmed six world champions previous and current in his final three tournaments, is probably not No.1 within the rankings and will not but be richest teenager on the planet – however in six weeks he has grow to be the person to beat.
A teary MVG mentioned: “This is what the folks wish to watch. He put me below a lot stress and everybody is aware of he’s going to have such a brilliant future however it’s a must to discover a option to cease him.
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(Image: X/OfficialPDC)
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“His scoring power is immense and he doesn’t care about anything. I needed my best performance of the tournament to beat him but I kept my fighting spirit.”
Earlier within the night, Littler had gained a measure of revenge for his PDC World Championship closing defeat by Luke Humphries earlier this month with a 6-5 win win on the bullseye of their quarter-final.
Then he noticed off Gerwyn Price for the second time in eight days within the final 4 earlier than Van Gerwen administered Littler’s first defeat in eight matches for the reason that fairytale of Ally Pally.
(Image: Getty Images)
Price admitted Littler’s startling rise had “re-energised” the highest gamers, saying: “I don’t normally practise a lot, but lately I’ve been on the board more than I ever have before. It gives you a kick up the backside and re-energises you.
“I feel a little bit sorry for the ‘other’ Luke (Humphries), if I am honest with you. As good as Luke Littler is, and deserves the support he gets, it sort of dampens Luke Humphries as a world champion and winning four majors on the bounce.
“It’s great for darts, it’s great for our sport, but I do feel sorry for Luke Humphries a little bit. I think if Luke Littler drops off a little bit, and Humphries keeps performing, he will get what he deserves. He is brilliant.”