A teenager conquers the Ally Pally in London: 16-year-old Luke Littler confidently wins his opening match at the Darts World Cup. Experts even believe he can make a big splash.
Well, he doesn’t really look like a 16 year old. And he certainly didn’t play like a 16 year old boy. But like a seasoned, hardened darts professional. Luke Littler has arrived on the World Cup stage with a bang. His average of 106.12 was the best value ever for a World Cup debut. He gave his opponent Christian Kist (37) no chance in the 3-0 win on Wednesday evening.
Junior world champion Littler is the youngest player to ever win a World Cup game and even delights the experts.
“I’m a darts fan first and foremost, I watched it and I had goosebumps when I saw him. I love people who achieve something and this was a boy who achieved something on the world stage,” enthused the British “Sky” expert Wayne Mardle.
The 2001 World Cup semi-finalist believes the newcomer can achieve great things. “Why shouldn’t he be able to win it? Who’s ever been better in their first game?” he asked.
Luke Littler – one for the Darts World Championship title?
“This isn’t just a statement performance, this is title form and he’s now a serious threat in this competition,” added fellow Sky pundit Mark Webster.
The big question: How far can shooting star Littler go? Webster doesn’t rule out the title either. “I’m getting carried away with this: I think he can win the whole thing!” He was “a bit blown away” – basically in love with the youngster.
Mardle raved and also unpacked the big comparisons: “I think he’s probably the most gifted player I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve seen Adrian Lewis in full swing, Gary Anderson, Michael van Gerwen, I’ve seen them all I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
Littler can be seen again on Thursday evening. Then he will face 53-year-old Andrew Gilding in the second round. And after his start he suddenly goes into the match as the favorite.