In a spectacular debut for the Saudia Arabia Darts Masters, teenage sensation Luke Littler has been crowned the inaugural champion, defeating darts legend Michael van Gerwen 8-5 in a thrilling final. Just a day shy of his 19th birthday, Littler showcased incredible form, overcoming top players like Gian van Veen and Gerwyn Price on his path to securing his first major title since his dominant World Championship run. This victory firmly establishes ‘The Nuke’ as a formidable force in the world of professional darts.
The Grand Final: Littler Dominates Van Gerwen
The highly anticipated final saw **Luke Littler face Michael van Gerwen**, with ‘The Nuke’ delivering a commanding performance to secure an **8-5 victory**. Littler wasted no time asserting his dominance, storming into an **early 4-0 lead**. A highlight of his opening surge was a spectacular **132 checkout on the bullseye**, setting a high standard for the match.
Despite Van Gerwen’s efforts to fight back, including a crucial **121 finish** for a break of throw, Littler consistently matched his opponent’s every move. After trading blows, Littler re-established a significant **6-4 lead**. From there, he relied on his powerful scoring to create opportunities, ultimately sealing the historic win by pinning **50 on tops**. This triumph was the perfect early birthday gift for Littler, who turned 19 the following day.
Littler’s Unstoppable Path to Glory
Quarter-Final: A World Championship Rematch vs. Gian van Veen
Littler’s journey in Riyadh began with a compelling **6-4 victory** over Gian van Veen, a rematch of their recent World Darts Championship encounter. Van Veen started strong, taking the **first three legs**, but Littler showcased his remarkable composure to fight back and **level the score at 3-3**. With the match poised at 4-4, Littler held his throw before delivering a **sensational 124 checkout on the bullseye** to secure his spot in the semi-finals.
Semi-Final: Vengeance Against Gerwyn Price
In the semi-final, Littler faced Gerwyn Price, seeking to avenge his defeat to ‘The Iceman’ just a week prior in Bahrain. Littler started brightly, demonstrating strong scoring and an impressive **121 checkout on the bull**. Price, known for his resilience, maintained a high average and even took a **4-2 lead** at one point. However, Littler, as he often does, elevated his game, reeling off **four legs in a row** to overcome Price and book his place in the final, proving his mettle against another top-tier opponent.
Michael van Gerwen’s Journey to the Final
Quarter-Final: A Close Battle with Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen’s tournament started with a tight **6-4 win** over Stephen Bunting. This match was notable for an extraordinary sequence of **nine consecutive breaks of throw** before ‘Mighty Mike’ finally held his own, sealing the victory with a **127 checkout on the bullseye**.
Semi-Final: Comeback Against Nathan Aspinall
Van Gerwen then secured his spot in the first-ever Saudi final with a **7-5 comeback victory** over Nathan Aspinall. Aspinall had a strong start, taking a **4-2 advantage** before the break, highlighted by a **clutch 128 checkout**. However, Van Gerwen returned with renewed focus, breaking Aspinall’s throw to **level the score at 4-4**, then securing two more legs against the darts before finishing on tops to reach back-to-back World Series finals.
Other Notable Matches from the Inaugural Event
- **Nathan Aspinall** secured a **6-4 victory** over Man Lok Leung, who had previously made history as only the third Asian player to win on the World Series circuit.
- **Gerwyn Price** withstood a strong comeback from Luke Humphries to claim a **6-5 victory** in a last-leg decider in their quarter-final. Price had initially led 3-0 before Humphries fought back to level at 3-3.
The Darts Season Continues
As the darts world celebrates Littler’s latest triumph, attention now turns to the upcoming **Premier League Darts** season. Defending champion Luke Humphries will look to retain his title, with weekly action providing more thrilling darts from February until May on major sports platforms.
Source: Based on an article from Sky Sports – Sports News, Transfers, Scores | Watch Live Sport.
