Luke Littler admits he still has a considerable journey ahead before he can lay claim to the title of the "greatest ever" darts player, yet he remains driven to tick items off his ambition list, beginning with the pursuit of consecutive World Matchplay titles in Blackpool. His recent performance nudged him a step nearer to that objective, as he secured a place in the quarter‑finals by edging past Nathan Aspinall 11‑8 in a match that was as dramatic as it was decisive. The encounter showcased Littler at his very best.
He opened the match with a flawless nine‑dart leg, an achievement that instantly captured the crowd’s imagination. By the fourth leg he was on the brink of repeating the feat, missing only a double fifteen to complete a second perfect leg – a rarity that has only been replicated on television by the legendary Phil Taylor.
Throughout the contest Littler also piled up fourteen 180s, and his average of 113.68 stands as the second‑highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay, trailing only Taylor’s 114.99 from the 2010 tournament. Littler’s goal is to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2017 to defend the Blackpool crown successfully. The current world number one already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, while also defending titles at the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals.
With a clean sweep still firmly in his sights, Littler must begin his campaign by retaining his seaside title. When asked how close he feels to achieving "greatest ever" status, Littler reflected on the constant comparisons that have followed him since his breakout onto the professional scene. "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 said.
He added a personal benchmark for greatness: "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." In the epic duel with Aspinall, Littler fell just one double fifteen short of securing two nine‑dart legs in a single match – a milestone that, until now, has only been achieved by Taylor on television.
While the opening nine‑dart was a sensational moment, Littler hinted that his practice sessions may have given him a subconscious sense that another perfect leg could be lurking. "I just want to produce my best stats every game I play and I think I have done it again tonight," he said after the match. "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." He also recounted a light‑hearted moment from his practice earlier that day: "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." Although losing such a tightly contested match can be disheartening, Aspinall chose to view the defeat as fuel for future endeavors. He described the encounter as the most enjoyable darts match of his career and pledged to channel the experience into renewed hunger. In a post‑match statement on social media, Aspinall wrote: "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 second round of the World Matchplay continues on Wednesday, with four more high‑profile clashes slated for live broadcast on Sky Sports. Cameron Menzies will look to back up his impressive win over world number two Luke Humphries when he meets Ross Smith.
Gerwyn Price is set to face fellow former world champion Rob Cross, while world number three Gian van Veen will take on in‑form Dutchman Wessel Nijman. James Wade will round out the action against Ryan Searle.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes remain on Littler, who will be defending his title against a field of hungry competitors. Fans can follow the drama live on Sky Sports or stream the action through NOW, which offers darts coverage without a long‑term contract.
The quest for back‑to‑back victories in Blackpool continues, and with each throw, Littler inches closer to the lofty ambitions he has set for himself.