In an exciting start to the Players Championship Finals, Luke Littler made headlines by winning his first match as the world number one. The young star achieved this milestone with a commanding 6-1 victory over Jeffrey de Graaf. His performance reaffirmed his top-ranking status as he aims for his first Players Championship title.
Littler’s Journey to the Top
At just 18 years old, Littler has already cemented his place in darts history. He expressed his elation after the match, stating, “It felt absolutely amazing, probably one of the best feelings I’ve had, to be world champion and world number one at the same time – but there is more to come.” He emphasized that winning the Players Championship is a significant goal for him, having fallen short in the previous year.
Van Veen’s Stunning Upset
In another thrilling match, Gian van Veen pulled off a remarkable comeback against Luke Humphries, defeating the defending champion 6-5. This victory marks Van Veen’s second win over Humphries in a month, following his earlier triumph at the European Championship final.
Match Highlights
- Humphries started strong, with early checkouts of 145, 40, and 83.
- Van Veen responded with impressive finishes, including a 161 checkout.
- The match went to the final leg, where both players struggled with missed opportunities.
Despite missing five match darts, Van Veen managed to capitalize on Humphries’ mistakes, securing his fourth consecutive victory over the former world number one.
Other Noteworthy Matches
The opening day also featured several other notable performances:
- Top seed Gerwyn Price won against Max Hopp with a score of 6-2.
- Stephen Bunting achieved a 6-2 victory over Ritchie Edhouse.
- Nathan Aspinall defeated Karel Sedlacek 6-3.
Meanwhile, four-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld exited the tournament after a 6-3 loss to Krzysztof Ratajski. Several strong players, including Rob Cross, Dave Chisnall, and Jonny Clayton, also faced defeat during the afternoon matches.
Looking Ahead
As the Players Championship Finals continues, all eyes will be on the next round. Littler is set to face Ross Smith, who won his match against Ryan Meikle 6-1. The competition promises to deliver more thrilling moments as top players vie for the prestigious title.
