Luke Littler vs Luke Humphries LIVE: Teenage sensation slips to defeat in World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler’s remarkable run ended without a fairytale finish as the new world No 1 triumphed
Teenage superstar Luke Littler had his dream ending of winning a world title taken away by the impressive performance of new World No. 1 Luke Humphries who came from behind to win the World Darts Championship in a thrilling finale at Alexandra Palace.
Littler, seemingly unfazed by the occasion, started poorly with the darts in the opening set as Humphries slipped seamlessly into his rhythm. He broke the teenagers throw and went on the claim the set in quick fashion. Littler responded after the break with two 100+ finishes to get back on level terms.
Humphries took the third set and Littler the fourth with neither player managing to hold their throw in these early stages. It was the fifth set that saw Littler begin to tick in his, now almost trademark fashion. He hunted down the treble 20s and finished off his checkouts with verve as Humphries began to flounder. The 16-year-old took three sets in a row to open up a lead of two.
The final then swung definitively. Humphries upped his level as Littler’s dipped. The 28-year-old banging in the 180s with gusto and clinching enough doubles under pressure to keep the teenager at bay. When Humphries retook the lead from a break of throw the momentum was firmly in his corner and a hold of throw moved him within one set of victory.
Littler never wilted, he was out thrown. Constant pressure made Humphries work for his victory but a firm showing in the final set saw him win the deciding leg with a double 16 finish and lift the World Championship trophy for the first time.
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World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-4 (2-2) Luke Humphries
A 140 from Humphries puts him on a finish of 144. Littler leaves 170. Humphries can’t take it but sets up to leave just 16. Littler misses the big checkout.
Humphries messes up three shots at double, Littler punishes him by landing double 10. The set is alive again.
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-4 (1-2) Luke Humphries
The announcer is going to strain his voice with the amount of 180s he’s calling. Littler has the chance to clean up but doesn’t take it. Humphries misses a second shot at treble 20 to checkout out 156 and Littler manages to hold his nerve to get a leg on the board.
Can he rescue the set now?
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-4 (0-2) Luke Humphries
Humphries is starting to tick again and bring the momentum with him. He leaves 108 again and will have a chance to take the leg but Littler leaving 40 piles on the pressure.
What pressure?
Humphries takes out 108 for the second leg going and moves within one leg of winning the set.
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-4 (0-1) Luke Humphries
Who’s going to win from here? You’re guess is as good as mine. Luke Humphries’ last two sets have seen him average 113+ and 114+. That is incredible darts under the most pressure possible.
Littler has the throw now. Both men start with 99 but miss trebles with their second visits.
The teenager is the first to a finish and leaves a very gettable 64 after a 140. Littler hits 16, hits 8, then misses double 20. Humphries has 108 left.
He takes it out!
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-4 (1-3) Luke Humphries
Littler struggles now to hit the trebles as Humphries knocks off back-to-back 140s. A 100 from Humphries leaves him on a finish of 121 and he might need to take it.
He does! Wow. The match is level. Cool Hand Luke indeed. What a final we have here.
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-3 (1-2) Luke Humphries
Humphries manages to set up a 170 finish under serious scoring pressure from Littler who is on 121. Humphries doesn’t hit it but Littler also misses the bullseye to nick one.
Humphries can’t capitalise and misses the bull himself on the next visit. Littler breaks throw and wins the leg!
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-3 (0-2) Luke Humphries
Here we go again. Littler pings in repeated trips of over 100 but a 180 from Humphries takes him down to 181 where he can set up for a strong finish.
He leaves 41 as Littler can’t take out 170. Humphries takes out the leg in 11 darts and moves within one leg of winning the set.
World Darts Championship final
Luke Littler 4-3 (0-1) Luke Humphries
Luke Humphries is leading on the match averages with a tick over 102 compared to Littler’s 101. Humphries averaged 113+ in the seventh set and almost lost it. That’s how good these two have been.
He’s got the darts now as he attempts to level up the match. He sets up 32 from a potential 130 finish and he only needs two darts to take it out.
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