Luke Littler managed to edge past Danny Noppert in front of a raucous Dutch audience, securing his place in the second round of the World Series of Darts Finals held in Amsterdam. The 22‑year‑old, who has already captured every major title on the calendar this season, faced an unfriendly crowd twice during a tense, back‑and‑forth encounter, ultimately prevailing 6‑4 and keeping alive the dream of an unprecedented clean sweep of all major championships. The atmosphere reminded many of the heated moments Littler experienced earlier in the year during the Premier League Darts.
Throughout that competition he endured constant whistles and jeers, yet he pressed on to claim the league crown. After that victory he admitted he had considered withdrawing from the invitational event, underscoring how much the hostile reception had affected him. In the opening leg of his match with Noppert, the Dutchman capitalised on a tentative start from Littler, taking the third leg and establishing a 3‑1 lead. The turning point arrived in the sixth leg when Noppert fluffed a 44‑point checkout, gifting Littler a chance to level the score at 3‑3.
The English teenager responded with a thunderous roar, cupped his hands over his ears and invited the crowd to make even more noise, despite their loud boos. Noppert then missed two darts that would have restored his break advantage, and Littler seized the moment, hitting a flawless 95‑point finish with two treble‑20s to go 5‑4 ahead.
He also broke Noppert’s throw in the decisive leg, sealing the match. "Turning a losing position into a win always feels amazing," Littler said after the victory, noting that he had already lifted the World Series of Darts Finals trophy in 2024. "I’m not putting pressure on myself.
I’m just taking it one round at a time." If Littler can maintain his form over the weekend and then capture the World Grand Prix and the European Championship, he will become the first player ever to hold every major darts title simultaneously. Such a feat would set him up for a historic clean sweep in November, when the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals take place. For now, however, he is focused on his upcoming clash with Nathan Aspinall in the second round. "Nathan always throws everything at me.
He brings his best, I bring mine, and hopefully we’ll produce another great match tomorrow," Littler added. "Achieving a clean sweep would be one of the greatest achievements in darts, but there’s still a long road ahead." The first round on Friday saw few surprises beyond the headline match.
Michael van Gerwen, who had been shocked by Daryl Gurney on the opening night, watched as the rest of the field settled their scores. Former world champion Gerwyn Price surged to a 5‑0 lead against Australian Brody Klinge, only for Klinge to rally to 5‑4 before Price clinched the final leg. Jonny Clayton experienced a similar narrative, racing to a 4‑0 advantage before missing several match darts and eventually winning 6‑3 over Maik Kuivenhoven, a late replacement for Lourence Ilagan after the Filipino player withdrew due to visa complications. James Wade eked out a 6‑5 win over Damon Heta after Heta missed a match dart in the deciding leg, while Aspinall recovered from a 4‑2 deficit to beat Raymond Smith 6‑4.
Dutch hopeful Wessel Nijman, who has already captured six Players Championship titles this year, translated his form to the televised stage with a 6‑4 triumph over veteran Simon Whitlock. Other close contests included Canada’s Jim Long edging Australia’s Adam Leek 6‑5 and cult‑favorite Motomu Sakai of Alexandra Palace prevailing 6‑5 over Callan Rydz.
The full slate of Friday’s results was: - Adam Leek 5‑6 Jim Long - Motomu Sakai 6‑5 Callan Rydz - Wessel Nijman 6‑4 Simon Whitlock - Nathan Aspinall 6‑4 Raymond Smith - James Wade 6‑5 Damon Heta - Gerwyn Price 6‑4 Brody Klinge - Luke Littler 6‑4 Danny Noppert - Jonny Clayton 6‑3 Maik Kuivenhoven Saturday’s schedule featured an afternoon session beginning at noon with match‑ups such as Josh Rock versus Ryan Searle, Daryl Gurney against Ross Smith, and a repeat encounter between Gian van Veen and Karel Sedlacek. The evening session, kicking off at 6 p.m., included Clayton versus Sakai, Price versus Long, Wade versus Nijman, and the highly anticipated Littler versus Aspinall. Fans can continue to follow the action as the World Grand Prix rolls out on Sky Sports from 28 September to 4 October, with streaming available via NOW – no contract required, cancel anytime.
The significance of Littler’s run cannot be overstated. Achieving a clean sweep of all major darts titles would place him alongside legends such as Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, yet he would be the first ever to hold every major simultaneously. His composure under pressure, evident in the way he turned a hostile environment into a catalyst for performance, suggests he possesses the mental resilience needed for such a historic undertaking. Beyond the immediate stakes, Littler’s journey highlights the evolving landscape of professional darts, where younger players are challenging established veterans and bringing fresh energy to the sport.
His ability to thrive amid jeering crowds, adapt his strategy mid‑match, and deliver clutch checkouts underlines a maturity beyond his years. As the tournament progresses, the darts community will be watching closely to see whether Littler can sustain his momentum, navigate the inevitable challenges posed by seasoned opponents, and perhaps rewrite the record books with a clean‑sweep that may never be replicated.