Darts Dynamo! Luke Littler Claims Saudi Arabia Darts Masters Crown
Luke Littler has once again proven why he’s one of darts’ most exciting talents, clinching the inaugural Saudi Arabia Darts Masters title! Just a day before his 19th birthday, “The Nuke” defeated world number one Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in a thrilling final in Riyadh. This victory marks his fifth World Series title and included a dominant performance against Gian van Veen in a highly anticipated rematch of the World Championship final. Littler’s triumph highlights his incredible consistency and skill on the global stage.
The Road to Glory: Quarter-Finals Action
The tournament kicked off with intense quarter-final matchups, setting the stage for an unforgettable event.
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Stephen Bunting: In a match dominated by “breaks” (when a player loses their throw), Michael van Gerwen ultimately prevailed 6-4 against Stephen Bunting. The decisive moment came when MvG secured the only “hold” of the entire match in the final leg with a spectacular 127 bull finish, sealing his spot in the semi-finals.
- Nathan Aspinall vs. Man Lok Leung: Hong Kong’s Man Lok Leung put up a valiant fight against Nathan Aspinall, but ultimately fell short, losing 6-4. Despite a strong showing, Leung missed too many crucial doubles, allowing “The Asp” to capitalize and advance.
- Luke Littler vs. Gian van Veen: This was a highly anticipated rematch of the World Championship final, and Luke Littler once again emerged victorious, winning 6-4. Van Veen started incredibly strong, racing to a 3-0 lead without Littler even having a shot at a double. However, “The Nuke” quickly turned the tide with a brilliant comeback, including a sequence of seven perfect darts. Littler’s exceptional form was capped off with a stunning 124 bull finish and an impressive 111 average for the match.
- Gerwyn Price vs. Luke Humphries: The final quarter-final saw a nail-biting encounter between Gerwyn Price and reigning World Champion Luke Humphries. Price, “The Iceman,” took an early 3-0 lead, but Humphries battled back to level the score at 3-3. The match went down to a deciding leg, where Price held his nerve to secure a 6-5 victory.
Semi-Final Showdowns
The semi-finals delivered more drama and high-quality darts.
- Michael van Gerwen vs. Nathan Aspinall: Michael van Gerwen continued his strong run, overcoming Nathan Aspinall 7-5. Aspinall initially took control, leading 4-2 at the mid-match interval. However, MvG mounted a fierce comeback, including a magnificent 154 checkout, and capitalized on Aspinall’s missed opportunities on the doubles to clinch his spot in the final.
- Luke Littler vs. Gerwyn Price: In a rematch of their Bahrain Darts Masters quarter-final, Luke Littler successfully avenged his previous defeat by beating Gerwyn Price 7-5. Price had chances to build a significant lead, even missing two darts for a 5-2 advantage. Littler seized this opportunity, winning four consecutive legs to take control of the match. Despite missing his first match dart on a 121 checkout attempt, he comfortably closed out the game on his own throw in the next leg.
The Grand Finale: Littler vs. Van Gerwen
The stage was set for a blockbuster final between two of darts’ biggest names: Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen. In a captivating contest, Luke Littler showcased his incredible composure and talent, defeating “Mighty Mike” 8-5 to lift the trophy. This significant victory marks Littler’s fifth World Series title, further solidifying his status as a dominant force in professional darts.
Tournament Overview and Prize Money
The Saudi Arabia Darts Masters offered substantial rewards and crucial ranking points.
- Total Prize Fund: £100,000
- Winner: £30,000 (and 12 World Series ranking points)
- Runner-Up: £16,000 (8 points)
- Semi-Finalists: £10,000 (5 points)
- Quarter-Finalists: £5,000 (3 points)
- First Round: £1,750 (1 point)
These ranking points are vital for players aiming to qualify for the prestigious World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam. It’s important to note that while the prize money is significant, it does not count towards the PDC Order of Merit (world rankings).
An additional incentive was a $100,000 bonus for a nine-dart finish, with an extra dart at the bullseye for another $100,000!
Match Formats
The matches varied in length as the tournament progressed:
- First Round & Quarter-Finals: Best of 11 Legs (first to 6)
- Semi-Finals: Best of 13 Legs (first to 7)
- Final: Best of 15 Legs (first to 8)
What’s Next in Darts? The Winmau World Masters
Darts fans can look forward to more action with the upcoming Winmau World Masters. The preliminary day is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th, with coverage available on PDC.TV. The main tournament will then run from Thursday to Sunday, broadcast live on streaming services such as DAZN and Pluto TV.
About DAZN Darts Coverage
For fans in certain regions, DAZN is a popular sports streaming service that provides extensive coverage of darts. This includes live and high-definition broadcasts of all major tournaments, European Tour events, and World Series events. DAZN can be accessed on various devices, including smart TVs, smartphones, PCs, laptops, and tablets, offering a convenient way for fans to follow their favorite players and tournaments.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
