Luke Littler acknowledges that he still has a considerable journey ahead before he can claim the title of the "greatest ever" darts player, yet he remains driven to tick items off his personal achievement list, beginning with the goal of defending his World Matchplay crown in Blackpool for a second consecutive year. His recent victory over Nathan Aspinall, a dramatic 11-8 win that secured a quarter‑final place against Josh Rock, moved him one step closer to that ambition. The match was nothing short of spectacular. Littler opened the encounter with a perfect nine‑dart finish, an achievement that instantly electrified the arena.
He came close to replicating that perfection a few legs later, missing the double fifteen by a narrow margin in the fourth leg. Throughout the contest he also recorded fourteen 180s, and his average of 113.68 ranks as the second‑highest ever recorded at the World Matchplay, trailing only Phil Taylor's historic 114.99 performance from 2010. Littler's broader objective is to become the first player since Michael van Gerwen in 2017 to win the Blackpool tournament back‑to‑back.
The current world No.1 already holds the World Darts Championship, the UK Open, the Premier League and the Masters, and is 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 knows that the first hurdle is to retain his Blackpool crown. When asked about the constant comparisons to legends, Littler replied, "Obviously that talk's been going on since I first burst onto the scene – people keep asking if I'll be the next Phil Taylor." He added a personal benchmark for greatness: "Unless I win 16 World Championships, I don't think I can call myself the greatest. I don't even know if I'll still be playing in 16 years, but if I could win 16 consecutive world titles, that would be something else." During his epic battle with Aspinall, Littler fell just one dart short of a second nine‑dart finish – a feat only Taylor has managed on television.
The early nine‑dart leg suggested that his practice sessions might have given him a feeling that another perfect leg was within reach. "I just want to put up my best numbers every game, and I think I did that tonight," Littler said after the match. "At one point I was the highest‑averaging player on the stage, and Phil's record of 114 is still out there, so I know it can be broken." He reflected on the missed double fifteen, recalling a casual practice session at home where he faced a dart‑bot and missed the same finish. "My sister's boyfriend teased me, saying I was terrible, and I told him I'd save that double for later – and then I hit it in the match," Littler laughed.
Despite the loss, Aspinall took the encounter as a source of motivation. In a social‑media post he described the match as "the most enjoyable game of darts I've ever played," praising Littler's performance and noting a striking statistic: six treble‑less visits in 19 legs.
"That gave me the hunger back," Aspinall wrote, acknowledging the high level of support from fans. The tournament moves on to its second round on Wednesday, with four high‑profile matches scheduled for live broadcast on Sky Sports.
Cameron Menzies will look to build on his impressive win over world No.2 Luke Humphries when he meets Ross Smith. Gerwyn Price will face fellow former world champion Rob Cross, while world No.3 Gian van Veen takes on in‑form Dutchman Wessel Nijman. James Wade will round out the slate against Ryan Searle. The question now is which player will ultimately claim this year's World Matchplay title.
Luke Littler, the defending champion, will be keen to prove that his nine‑dart brilliance was no fluke and that he can sustain his high‑level play across an entire tournament. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports or stream the matches through NOW, which offers darts coverage without a long‑term contract.
Beyond the immediate stakes, Littler's performance raises broader discussions about the evolution of the sport. His ability to produce a nine‑dart finish early in a high‑pressure match, combined with a record‑breaking average, suggests that the next generation of players may be pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible.
As more young talents like Littler emerge, the sport's competitive landscape could shift dramatically, with new rivalries and record‑breaking performances becoming the norm rather than the exception. In summary, Littler's blend of youthful confidence, relentless practice, and willingness to set ambitious goals positions him as a formidable contender for the sport's top honors. Whether he ultimately reaches the lofty status of "greatest ever" will depend on his ability to maintain this level of excellence over many years, but his recent showing at the World Matchplay certainly adds a compelling chapter to his growing legacy.