Luke Littler may still consider himself a long way off becoming the "greatest ever" in darts, but he is clearly driven to keep ticking milestones off his personal checklist, beginning with the ambition of defending his World Matchplay crown in Blackpool. His recent performance has moved him a step closer to that objective, as he secured a place in the quarter‑finals by edging past Nathan Aspinall with a dramatic 11‑8 win, setting up a clash with Josh Rock.
The match was a masterclass in youthful brilliance. Littler opened the encounter with a flawless nine‑dart finish, an achievement that instantly electrified the arena and reminded everyone why he is regarded as one of the sport’s most exciting talents.
He came agonisingly close to replicating that perfection a few legs later; on the fourth leg he missed the double fifteen by the narrowest of margins, leaving him just one dart short of a second nine‑dart finish. Only the legendary Phil Taylor has ever managed two televised nine‑darters in a single match, underscoring how extraordinary Littler’s display was. Beyond the historic finishes, Littler’s statistical output was staggering. He recorded fourteen 180s during the contest and posted an average of 113.68 – the second‑highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay, trailing only Taylor’s 114.99 performance in 2010.
Those numbers illustrate not just a flash of brilliance but a sustained level of excellence across the entire match. Littler’s broader goal is to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2017 to claim back‑to‑back titles in Blackpool. Van Gerwen currently holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, while also defending the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals.
The bar is set exceptionally high, yet Littler’s recent form suggests he is ready to challenge that dominance. When asked about the perpetual comparison to Phil Taylor, Littler replied, "Obviously that talk's been going on for, I think, from when I first came onto the scene, it was ‘will he be the next Phil Taylor?’" He acknowledges the weight of that expectation but counters it with a clear personal benchmark: "I have always said, unless I win 16 of these, 16 World Championships and whatever rest, then I think I will be the greatest. Am I going to be around in 16 years' time?
Who knows? If I win 16 back‑to‑back World Championships, I am gone." During his epic duel with Aspinall, Littler found himself just a single double fifteen away from a second nine‑dart finish – a feat that, to date, only Taylor has accomplished on television. The near‑miss added a layer of drama to an already sensational leg, and it highlighted how fine the margins are at the elite level of darts.
Littler’s confidence in his preparation was evident when he reflected on the opening nine‑dart leg: "I just want to produce my best stats every game I play and I think I have done it again tonight. I think I was, at one point, at the highest average and Phil had 114. So, I know that record is there to be broken. Everyone is asking me how I did it, but I don't really know.
It was the first leg of the game and then to go on and wire the double 15 again, that was really gutting to not hit two in a game. I was practising at home today and I did a first to 11 against the dart bot.
I actually missed the double 15 and then my sister's boyfriend went, ‘oh, you're c**p, you’. I was saving it till later.
And I hit it." Despite the disappointment of a narrow defeat, Aspinall chose to view the match as a catalyst for future success. He posted on social media, "The most enjoyable game of darts I have played in my career. Had absolutely everything and I gave it my all. Fair play to Luke Littler, you were simply unreal.
Six treble‑less visits in 19 legs is the stat that jumps out to me. Wow.
That has certainly given me the hunger back. Support was unreal as per." The quarter‑finals promise further intrigue, with the second‑round action slated for Wednesday on Sky Sports.
Four high‑stakes matches will follow: * Cameron Menzies, fresh from a stunning upset over world No. 2 Luke Humphries, will face Ross Smith. * Gerwyn Price will take on former world champion Rob Cross. * World No.
3 Gian van Veen will battle Dutch compatriot and in‑form Wessel Nijman. * James Wade will meet the unpredictable Ryan Searle. All eyes will be on Littler as he attempts to defend his Matchplay title.
Whether he can replicate the brilliance of his opening nine‑dart finish and push his average even higher remains to be seen, but his trajectory suggests he is on a path that could rewrite the sport’s record books. Fans can catch every throw, every double, and every potential historic moment on Sky Sports or via the NOW streaming service, which offers live darts coverage without a long‑term contract.
In summary, Littler’s blend of raw talent, relentless practice, and mental fortitude has already produced a performance that will be remembered for years. His ambition to become the greatest is anchored in concrete goals – multiple world titles, record‑breaking averages, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to deliver under pressure night after night.
As the tournament unfolds, the darts world will watch closely to see whether this young prodigy can turn his lofty aspirations into lasting legacy.