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Luke Littler Triumphs at UK Open, Inspired by Manchester United’s FA Cup Exit
Luke Littler has credited the disappointment of Manchester United’s recent FA Cup exit for fueling his performance during the UK Open, which he dominated at Minehead. The young dart player, known as ‘The Nuke,’ showcased his skill by defeating three-time UK Open champion James Wade in the final with a decisive 11-2 victory.
With this win, Littler not only secured his fifth title in PDC’s televised tournaments but also tightened his position behind Luke Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit. This latest victory marks the twelfth title of Littler’s burgeoning career.
During his semi-final match against Jonny Clayton, Littler learned about Manchester United’s unfortunate exit from the FA Cup after losing 4-3 in a penalty shootout midway through his game. This revelation appeared to energize him, as he rallied from a 5-5 deadlock to win the match 11-6, thereby advancing to the final.
“When I heard about Manchester United’s loss during the second break, it definitely motivated me a bit more,” Littler stated in an interview with ITV. “I managed to win the next five legs, and I knew that I just needed one more to close it out.”
Dominating Performance in the Final
Littler maintained his impressive form against Wade in the final, winning the first nine legs without breaking a sweat. This performance echoed their previous meeting at last month’s Winmau World Masters, where Littler had also dominated. The 18-year-old’s final statistics were equally stunning, with nine 180s thrown and an average score of 101.51, ultimately leading him to claim the £110,000 first prize.
“I had my sights set on this tournament,” Littler shared. “This is my third time participating in the UK Open—after reaching the quarter-finals as a 16-year-old and then progressing further last year, I’m thrilled to finally win it!”
Wade expressed admiration for Littler’s skills despite his own aspirations of claiming the UK Open title for a fourth time. “I played reasonably well in the semi-finals, but in the final, Luke was just on another level. It’s tough to compete against that kind of performance,” Wade commented. “He truly is one of the top dart players right now.”
The Path Ahead for Littler
Luke Littler’s latest accomplishment comes shortly after his maiden triumph at the World Darts Championship, where he claimed victory over Michael van Gerwen. As he looks ahead, he aims to continue his success, particularly within the Premier League. “My goal is to stay among the top four and make it to the playoffs at the O2,” he said.
Experts expect Littler to remain a formidable force in the sport. Former world champion Mark Webster emphasized Littler’s potential for future titles: “He’s not someone who rests on his past achievements; he keeps pushing forward and can handle pressure situations. He’s well on his way to aiming for the top spot by the end of the year.”
Upcoming Competitions
The Premier League darts action continues with Night Five slated for Thursday in Brighton. The evening will kick off with a match between Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price, followed by Littler facing Chris Dobey. Other matches will include Rob Cross against Luke Humphries and Stephen Bunting taking on Nathan Aspinall. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ starting at 7 pm.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast the Premier League throughout 2025, offering comprehensive coverage of various major tournaments including the World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts.
Source
www.skysports.com