Michael van Gerwen has denied younger sensation Luke Littler a second consecutive World Collection title after beating him within the ultimate of the Dutch Darts Masters.
The Dutchman defeated {the teenager} 8-6 within the metropolis of Den Bosch, avenging the defeat to the 17-year-old final week in Bahrain, the place Littler lifted the trophy.
I want to get well from the loss within the ultimate of the World Darts ChampionshipLittler confronted Luke Humphries once more – this time within the quarter-finals – and defeated him in a ultimate leg thriller.
Luke “The Nuke” then dispatched world quantity 5 Gerwyn Value earlier than falling to world quantity two Van Gerwen on the ultimate hurdle.
Van Gerwen had survived scares in opposition to Raymond van Barneveld and Gian van Veen to achieve the ultimate, however stepped up the motion when it mattered.
Regardless of Littler beating his opponent with a mean of 106.71 and hitting extra 180s than van Gerwen, the Dutchman punished the Warrington teenager with an 85 end and securing victory with a 12-darter.
Littler mentioned after the match that he put stress on Van Gerwen however “he simply did not need to miss” and “lastly acquired me on the finish”.
“Hopefully I am not burned out for the Premier League subsequent week! I can not wait to get to Cardiff,” he mentioned on ITV.
In the meantime, Van Gerwen congratulated Littler, saying he would have a “vivid future forward of him” and praising his “scoring potential”.
Referring to his personal victory, Van Gerwen mentioned: “I wanted my greatest efficiency. Everyone knows that I’ve performed some very robust matches over the previous yr and have typically underperformed. It’s important to be sure to maintain your combating spirit.”
Littler and Humphries will conflict once more on Thursday, with the pair closing out the quarter-finals on the opening night time of the BetMGM Premier League in Cardiff.
Reigning champion Van Gerwen begins his bid for a record-extending eighth Premier League crown in opposition to final yr’s world champion Michael Smith.