Luke Littler produced his fourth televised nine-darter within the ‘second-best leg’ within the sport’s historical past as he produced one of many biggest World Matchplay comebacks.
The Nuke beat Josh Rock 17-14 in an enthralling semi-final on Saturday night time.
5
5
Littler is now into his ninth PDC main closing in simply 15 premier occasions since turning skilled 18 months in the past.
And victory over James Wade on Sunday would additionally see him develop into the youngest ever winner of darts’ Triple Crown.
The teenage sensation has already gained the PDC World Darts Championship and the Premier League.
In an unusually sluggish begin from Littler, Rock raced right into a 5-0 lead on the finish of the primary session.
Nevertheless, he lastly awakened following the break by instantly getting his first leg on the board.
After his opponent had held his throw, the duo produced one of the vital staggering legs of darts within the sport’s historical past.
Having each opened with a pair of 180s every, Littler took out a 141 checkout with a triple 20, triple 17, double 15 end.
His heroics induced the Winter Gardens to erupt because the Sky Sports activities commentators have been left in awe at witnessing 15 consecutive good darts.
In the meantime, Littler’s relaxed response surprised Dan Dawson within the sales space.
Dawson reacted by stating: “A shrug of the shoulders from the younger man who makes the extraordinary look routine.”
5
As for Mardle, he exclaimed: “180, 180, 180, 180, 141! Josh Rock was good in that leg, however that is the issue while you throw second!”
The pundit added: “That’s the second greatest leg you may ever see in your life,” in reference to Michael Smith’s effort towards Michael van Gerwen within the 2023 World Championship closing.
On that event, Van Gerwen threw eight good darts earlier than lacking at double, just for Smith to finish his personal nine-darter throughout the identical leg.
Littler could possibly be seen applauding the gang in response, with Rock himself wanting on in disbelief.
The Northern Irishman appeared to have fun his opponent’s heroics by clapping, earlier than the pair embraced on stage in a cultured present of respect.
It was the primary nine-dart end of this 12 months’s World Matchplay and the tenth within the occasion’s historical past.
Dimitri Van den Bergh was the final participant to take action within the first spherical in 2024 towards Martin Schindler.
Littler had trailed 6-1 previous to his good leg, which went on to encourage a dramatic turnaround.
He gained 15 of the remaining 23 legs to assert a 17-14 victory over Rock.
Talking afterwards on his nine-darter, Littler admitted: “It positively sparked me into life. I did not need to give it massive [one].
“I used to be enjoying terrible. At that time I wished to enter the break at 6-, however I ended up 7-3 down.
“As soon as once more I stated to myself, ‘I may do it and are available again once more.'”
5
Regardless of his humble perspective, he had made World Matchplay historical past alongside Rock.
The pair’s mixed 29 180s is probably the most in a single match on the match.
What number of nine-darters does Littler have?
Littler’s good leg on Saturday was the fourth televised nine-darter of the 18-year-old’s profession.
His first got here on the Bahrain Darts Masters towards Nathan Aspinall in January final 12 months.
In the meantime, he has repeated the feat towards Luke Humphries and Van Gerwen within the Premier League in 2024 and 2025.
The latter got here with a brand new route as Littler ditched the triple 20, triple 19, double 12 end he had used for the earlier two.
5
As a substitute, he checked out 141 with triple 20, triple 17 and double 15, the identical strategy as his nine-dart end towards Rock.
Following his earlier good leg in March, Littler revealed he plans to make use of the brand new route when doable for the remainder of the 12 months.
He defined: “I didn’t even realise the double 15 was in till Huw (Ware, referee) shouted it. So I believe that’s the brand new path to go for this 12 months.
“You’ve seen gamers on this planet championships hit the 9 and exit in that recreation, so I needed to focus after that.
“Michael gained the subsequent two legs however I managed to get again into it. It’s good to choose up one other nightly win, extra essential factors, and to have a six-point over Luke (Humphries) is an efficient increase for myself.”