Littler Issues Warning to Rivals After Claiming Berlin Victory

Luke Littler has sent a clear message to his Premier League title rivals after securing his third nightly win of the season in Berlin, moving to the top of the table in the process. The world number one put on an impressive display at the Uber Arena, averaging over 105 in all three of his matches to claim the £10,000 first prize. Littler's victory saw him overcome Stephen Bunting, Gerwyn Price, and Michael van Gerwen, with two 'Big Fish' finishes during his 6-4 win over Van Gerwen. This latest success marks Littler's third night win in four weeks, leapfrogging Jonny Clayton into top spot at the halfway stage of the season. After a slow start to the season, where he was seventh after the first four weeks, Littler now finds himself on 21 points and in pole position to qualify for Finals Night at The O2. 'It's been very interesting this Premier League,' Littler admitted. 'Obviously Jonny [Clayton] ran away with it a little bit, but I thought there was going to be a much bigger gap while I was sat seventh. I was also sat at sixth at one point but now they can all try and catch me!' Littler added: 'Feeling very good - better than the first few weeks. Now I'm at the top, I don't want to move from there - I want to stay at the top.' Littler began his campaign with a strong start against Bunting in the quarter-final, requiring 'The Bullet' to need a 167 checkout on the bullseye to prevent a whitewash before securing a 6-3 win. He averaged even higher against Price - in a rematch of last week's Dublin final - as Littler responded to the Welshman going 4-3 up with a 152 finish by claiming the next three legs to secure a 13th win in 14 meetings over the two-time world champion. Littler also had a fast start against Van Gerwen after taking out a 126 finish on his way to moving 3-0 ahead, then fired 'Big Fish' checkouts in the eighth and final legs to claim the maximum five points on offer for the evening. 'It was a very good night overall,' Littler explained. 'I played some outstanding darts - I think that's the best I've ever played for a [Premier League] night and got the job done.' Littler used two different sets of darts during his nightly victory, changing ahead of his semi-final win over Price, although revealed it was a decision already made before his quarter-final win. 'I said coming in that if I won my first game I would change my darts in the second,' Littler told Sky Sports. 'That will get a few people talking! Target did a few adjustments as they weren't quite right, but they worked tonight.' Former Premier League champion Glen Durrant said: 'I am from an era where you played with the same darts for as long as possible but he is changing after an incredible opening game when he averaged over a hundred. He is incredible. We are all saying Jonny Clayton is already through and Luke Littler - but Clayton will want to get another couple of points after two quarter-final exits in a row. The league is sat nicely and every week will feel massive.' The Premier League heads to the AO Arena in Manchester for Night Nine, with Van Gerwen opening against Bunting before Gerwyn Price takes on Luke Humphries. Van Veen faces Littler, now looking for a fourth nightly win in five weeks, with Clayton facing Rock again after losing to the Northern Irishman in Berlin. Watch Premier League Darts every Thursday up to and including Finals Night on May 28. Catch Week Nine, from Manchester, live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event from 7pm on Thursday April 2. Stream darts contract-free with NOW.