Luke Littler Dazzles with Nine-Darter in World Matchplay Thriller Against Nathan Aspinall
The Winter Gardens in Blackpool bore witness to a darting spectacle of the highest order as Luke Littler, the burgeoning world number one, etched his name further into the annals of the sport with a mesmerizing 11-8 victory over Nathan Aspinall in a World Matchplay epic. The match was not just a contest of skill and nerve, but a showcase of the electrifying talent that defines the modern darting landscape, highlighted by Littler’s perfect leg in the opening stanza. This extraordinary feat marked the second time the prodigious talent has achieved a nine-dart finish against Aspinall in the opening leg of a major tournament, a remarkable parallel to their encounter at the Bahrain Darts Masters earlier in 2024.
Littler’s performance transcended mere victory, with his final average of 113.68 standing as the second-highest ever recorded at the prestigious World Matchplay. This monumental figure trails only the legendary Phil Taylor’s astonishing 114.99 from 2010, underscoring the sheer brilliance on display. Adding to the statistical marvel, Littler unleashed an impressive 14 maximum 180s throughout the contest, demonstrating relentless scoring power.
The match began with an immediate statement of intent from Littler, embodying the adage of "start as you mean to go on." In the very first leg, he produced a breathtaking display of precision, firing in two 180s before expertly pinning treble 20, treble 17, and double 15 to achieve perfection. The iconic Winter Gardens erupted in a frenzy, a cacophony of cheers celebrating the flawless execution. This was not merely a nine-darter; it was a declaration of dominance, setting a tone that would define the encounter. Following this sensational start, Littler continued his relentless assault with a 14-dart leg. The momentum seemed unstoppable, and in the fourth leg, he flirted with a second nine-darter, only to see his final dart narrowly miss double 15, a moment that drew a wry, almost theatrical gesture from Aspinall, who jokingly offered his own darts to the bewildered crowd, a testament to the almost unattainable standard being set.
Despite Littler’s electrifying opening salvo, which saw him register an eye-watering 117 average in the initial stages, Aspinall, a seasoned campaigner known for his tenacity, demonstrated remarkable resilience. He managed to hold his nerve and his throw, ensuring he remained within touching distance, trailing by just one leg at the first interval. This crucial period of consolidation allowed Aspinall to regroup and showcase his own formidable capabilities.
The second session continued in a similar vein of high-quality darting, with both players maintaining their throws. This closely contested phase saw Littler extend his lead, but only marginally, going into the second break with a slender 6-4 advantage. The match remained a tantalizing prospect, with the outcome far from decided.
The narrative of the match took another dramatic turn as Littler appeared to pull away, securing three consecutive legs, including two crucial breaks of throw, to establish a commanding 10-7 lead. The finish line seemed within his grasp, and the crowd sensed a swift conclusion. However, in true "Big Fish" fashion, Nathan Aspinall refused to surrender. Under immense pressure, he delivered a moment of sheer brilliance, reeling in the deficit and striking back to make it 10-8. This remarkable resurgence injected a renewed sense of tension and anticipation into the already gripping contest.
Yet, even with Aspinall’s spectacular resurgence, Luke Littler remained unperturbed. In the decisive 19th leg, he calmly collected his thoughts and closed out the match with a clinical 52 checkout on double top, sealing an enthralling battle that will be remembered for its drama and exceptional standard of play.
Littler Reflects on "The Best Game Me and Nathan Have Ever Played"
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after the pulsating encounter, a jubilant Luke Littler expressed his immense satisfaction with the performance. "It felt amazing," he stated. "Probably the best game me and Nathan have played against each other." He acknowledged the exceptional statistics that underscored the quality of the match, noting, "I just saw the averages there, 113 for me, 101 for Nathan." Littler further highlighted his consistent scoring, revealing, "Six treble-less visits in 21 legs shows how well I did play."
Reflecting on the pivotal nine-darter, Littler described it as a spontaneous event, noting the shift in crowd sentiment: "The nine-darter just happened, these guys were booing me at the beginning and then they started cheering me on!" He acknowledged Aspinall’s fighting spirit, admitting, "Nathan gave it his all, and when I missed D5 I knew the 170 was going! But I’m just glad to win. He’ll never give up." Looking ahead, Littler remained grounded despite his outstanding performance: "That’s two unbelievable performances from myself here. I just have to focus. You can never put the trophy in someone’s hands after round one or round two. I wanted Luke Humphries to win and us to meet in another final."
Quarter-Final Lineup Takes Shape Amidst Major Upsets
The victory propels Luke Littler into the quarter-finals, where he is set to face Josh Rock. Rock advanced after a hard-fought 11-6 victory over Stephen Bunting, a match that, by Rock’s own admission, did not reach the typical heights expected from both players. In the opening session, both competitors were averaging in the low 70s, with Rock visibly expressing frustration at his own display. However, he battled through, stringing together four consecutive legs to establish a decisive 7-4 lead. Rock ultimately secured his passage to the next round with a sensational 140 checkout, setting up a rematch with Littler. This encounter will hold particular significance, as Littler previously defeated Rock in a thrilling 17-14 semi-final at the same venue in 2015.
Van Gerwen Bows Out as Anderson Continues Strong Run
In a significant upset, fourth seed Michael van Gerwen was eliminated from the World Matchplay in a tense deciding-leg tie-break against fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. The dramatic 14-12 defeat has significant implications for Van Gerwen’s world ranking, provisionally dropping him to world number six. Having entered the tournament defending a substantial £100,000 in prize money, this loss means he surrenders his world number four ranking.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, characterized by a tense start before Van Duijvenbode seized control. He established an early lead, capitalizing on opportunities and securing a crucial break of throw to move ahead 4-3, later extending it to 8-4 with a second break. Despite visibly struggling with a shoulder issue throughout the match, Van Gerwen demonstrated his champion’s mettle, mounting a spirited comeback. He produced a stunning triple bullseye finish and a vital break of throw to level the score at 10-10, forcing a tie-break.
In the decisive phase, Van Duijvenbode proved to be the stronger finisher. He produced a brilliant 11-dart leg, including six perfect darts, to break throw and move to 13-12. The pressure then shifted squarely onto Van Gerwen’s shoulders. After both players missed opportunities, Van Duijvenbode held his nerve on his seventh match dart, pinning double eight to secure a memorable victory and letting out a triumphant roar.
Van Duijvenbode will now face Gary Anderson in the quarter-finals. The 2018 Matchplay champion, Anderson, booked his spot in the last eight with an 11-7 victory over Welshman Jonny Clayton. This marks Anderson’s first appearance in the quarter-finals of this prestigious event in six years. His journey to this stage was not without its challenges; Clayton started imperiously, securing a 4-1 lead with impressive checkouts of 105 and 121. However, Anderson responded with a remarkable run of five consecutive legs to seize the lead. A crucial break of throw in the 15th leg extended his advantage to 9-6, and from there, Anderson maintained his composure, comfortably holding his own throw to seal his place in the quarter-finals with a double eight finish.
World Matchplay Darts: Tuesday’s Results
- Jonny Clayton 7-11 Gary Anderson
- Michael van Gerwen 12-14 Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Luke Littler 11-8 Nathan Aspinall
- Josh Rock 11-6 Stephen Bunting
What’s Next: Wednesday’s World Matchplay Fixtures
The second round action at the World Matchplay continues on Wednesday, with four more compelling encounters set to unfold live on Sky Sports. Cameron Menzies, fresh off a significant victory over world number two Luke Humphries, will face Ross Smith. Gerwyn Price, a former world champion, is scheduled to compete against fellow ex-world champion Rob Cross in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter. World number three Gian Van Veen faces a stern test against the in-form Dutch compatriot Wessel Nijman. The day’s proceedings will conclude with James Wade taking on Ryan Searle.
World Matchplay Darts: Wednesday’s Fixtures
- Cameron Menzies vs. Ross Smith
- Gerwyn Price vs. Rob Cross
- Gian van Veen vs. Wessel Nijman
- James Wade vs. Ryan Searle
The World Matchplay continues to deliver captivating drama and exceptional darts, with Luke Littler firmly establishing himself as a dominant force. As the tournament progresses, the quest for the coveted title intensifies, promising further thrilling encounters and potential upsets. Fans can follow all the action live on Sky Sports.
