Nine-Dart Luke Littler Continues to Make History on European Tour Debut

Luke Littler has etched his name into darting history once again, stunning the crowd and his opponent, Rob Cross, with a remarkable nine-dart finish en route to claiming the coveted title at the Blåkläder Belgian Darts Open in Wieze on Sunday.

In a thrilling final showdown, the teenage sensation Littler showcased his exceptional talent, overcoming the formidable challenge posed by Premier League star Rob Cross, with a nail-biting 8-7 victory.

Reflecting on his momentous triumph in an interview with PDC TV, Littler expressed his relief at clinching the win after a tense encounter. "I'm just glad to get over the line," he remarked. "I lost the two legs after I hit the nine so I'm relieved to get the win."

The match reached its pinnacle when Littler, already leading 6-5, conjured up his third nine-dart finish of the year, propelling himself into a crucial lead over Cross. Despite facing adversity at 7-6 down, Littler displayed resilience and composure to mount a remarkable comeback, ultimately securing victory and the £30,000 top prize.

"It's always good to be involved in a good game; me and Rob have battles and we bring the best out of each other," Littler reflected on the high-quality encounter.

Image credit: PDC

The path to glory was not without its challenges for Littler, who showcased his prowess throughout the tournament. His journey began with a convincing 6-3 victory over Damon Heta, followed by impressive wins against Jermaine Wattimena and Ricardo Pietreczko in the quarterfinals and semi-finals, respectively.

The final clash with Cross proved to be a true test of skill and nerve, with both players delivering a scintillating display of darts. Despite Cross's valiant efforts, including a stellar 108 average in the final, it was Littler who emerged triumphant, clinching his first silverware on the European stage.

In a gracious acknowledgment of his opponent's talent and the electrifying atmosphere in Wieze, Cross praised Littler's exceptional performance, hailing him as a special talent with a bright future ahead. "Luke is special, he has such a bright future in front of him; the nine was amazing," Cross remarked, showcasing sportsmanship and respect in defeat.

With this sensational victory, Littler not only adds another remarkable achievement to his burgeoning career but also moves into a provisional qualification place for July's Betfred World Matchplay, cementing his status as one of the sport's most promising talents.

In a display of extraordinary skill and precision, Luke Littler has already etched his name into the annals of darting history by hitting an astonishing three nine-dart finishes at ranking or major events this season. This remarkable feat places him in rarefied air, as only one other player, Gerwyn Price, has achieved the same number of nine-darters in a single PDC calendar year. Notably, Price accomplished this remarkable feat in 2022, hitting four nine-darter across the full season.  

However, Littler's incredible achievement is even more astounding considering we are only two months into the season, highlighting the prodigious talent and remarkable potential of this rising star in the world of darts.