Luke Littler admits he still has a long road ahead before he can claim the mantle of the "greatest ever" in darts, but he remains driven to tick off the milestones on his personal checklist, beginning with a repeat triumph at the World Matchplay in Blackpool. His recent performance nudged him a step closer to that ambition, as he secured a place in the quarter‑finals by edging past Nathan Aspinall 11‑8 in a thrilling encounter that showcased his burgeoning talent.
The match was a masterclass from the teenage prodigy. Littler opened the contest with a flawless nine‑dart leg, instantly announcing his intent on the biggest stage. He flirted with perfection again in the fourth leg, missing only the double 15, a narrow miss that left spectators wondering what could have been.
Throughout the game he compiled an astonishing 14 maximums (180s), and his three‑dart average of 113.68 ranks as the second‑highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay, trailing only Phil Taylor’s historic 114.99 from 2010. Littler’s goal is to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2017 to defend the Blackpool title successfully. The current world No.
1 already holds the World Darts Championship, UK Open, Premier League and Masters, and is also the defending champion of the Matchplay, Grand Slam, Grand Prix and Players Championship Finals. With a clean sweep still firmly in his sights, Littler now turns his attention to retaining his Blackpool crown, a task that will test his consistency and mental fortitude.
When asked about the lofty comparisons to legends such as Phil Taylor, Littler replied, "Obviously that talk's been going on since I first arrived on the scene – people keep asking if I'll be the next Phil Taylor." He added a personal benchmark for greatness: "I have always said, unless I win 16 World Championships and whatever else comes after, I don't think I can call myself the greatest. Am I still around in 16 years?
Who knows? If I win 16 back‑to‑back World Championships, then I'm done." In the match against Aspinall, Littler fell just one dart short of a second nine‑dart finish – a feat that only Taylor has achieved on television – when he missed the double 15. The near‑miss was a bitter pill, especially after the exhilaration of his opening nine‑dart leg. Yet Littler remained philosophical, noting that his practice sessions may have given him a subconscious sense that another perfect leg was within reach.
"I just want to produce my best stats every game I play and I think I have done it again tonight," he said. He reflected on his performance, noting that at one point his average eclipsed Phil Taylor’s record, and he felt the weight of that achievement. "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 miss the double 15 again was really gutting," he admitted. Littler even recounted a light‑hearted moment from his practice at home, where he missed the double 15 while playing against a dart‑bot, prompting a teasing comment from his sister’s boyfriend. "I was saving it till later.
And I hit it," Littler laughed. Despite the loss, Aspinall took the defeat as fuel for future battles, describing the match as the most enjoyable darts game of his career. In a social‑media statement he 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 drama of the World Matchplay continues, with round two set for Wednesday on Sky Sports.
Four more high‑stakes matches are on the docket: Cameron Menzies will look to build on his impressive win over world No. 2 Luke Humphries when he faces Ross Smith; Gerwyn Price will clash with former world champion Rob Cross; world No. 3 Gian van Veen meets in‑form Dutchman Wessel Nijman; and James Wade takes on Ryan Searle.
Littler’s quest to defend his title will be a central storyline, and fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports or stream the coverage via NOW, which offers darts without a long‑term contract. As the tournament unfolds, the question remains: can the young Welsh star add another chapter to his already impressive résumé and edge closer to the elusive status of "greatest ever"?
The answer will lie in the next leg, the next match, and perhaps, in another perfect nine‑dart finish that will echo through darts history.