Darts sensation Luke Littler has secured his first Players Championship Finals title, setting a formidable stage for his upcoming World Darts Championship defence at Alexandra Palace this winter.
Littler's Minehead Triumph Sets Up Title Defence
Luke Littler, the world number one, extended his impressive winning streak by defeating Nathan Aspinall 11-8 in a gripping final in Minehead on Sunday. The victory earned the 18-year-old phenom the top prize of £120,000 and marked his sixth televised trophy. It also represents his ninth PDC major championship in under two years as a professional, cementing his status as the sport's dominant force.
The match saw Littler, nicknamed 'The Nuke', hold off a spirited comeback from his rival. Despite the intense pressure, he clinched the win, proving his resilience and skill just weeks before he begins his campaign for back-to-back world titles.
Aspinall's Exhaustion and X-Rated Reaction
Following the gruelling final, Nathan Aspinall did not hide his fatigue. In a live, post-match interview on ITV, The Asp delivered an X-rated claim, stating, "I'm absolutely b********d." Commentator Chris Mason later acknowledged the remark, sympathising with Aspinall's exhaustion but noting, "I won't repeat what he said."
Despite the defeat, Aspinall was gracious in victory, praising his opponent. "This has been a fantastic tournament for myself. I’m back in the top 16 where I belong," he said. "I’ve got to congratulate Luke. The guy is incredible... What he’s done for this game is incredible, and I was happy to share the stage with him tonight."
World Championship Draw: Littler's Dreaded Potential Opponent
Attention now turns to the World Darts Championship, which begins on December 11 and concludes on January 3 at Alexandra Palace. As the top seed, Littler will discover his first-round opponent in Monday's draw, where he will face a player ranked between 65th and 128th in the world.
While his section of the bracket already includes formidable former world champions like Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross, Littler has expressed particular concern about one potential first-round match-up. He is dreading the possibility of facing Beau Greaves, the Women's Series winner who narrowly defeated him 6-5 in the PDC World Youth Championship semi-finals back in October.
"We'll have to see who I draw," said Littler. "There are loads of huge names. Us seeds start in round one... I wouldn't fancy Beau Greaves first up - I don't think many people would want me to win." This admission highlights the respect he has for Greaves and the challenge she could pose to his title defence from the very start.
