The biggest fairytale in darts was not given the ending that many fans hoped this evening, with 16-year old phenom Luke Littler coming up short in his PDC World Darts Championship final against Luke Humphries tonight.
While he was coming up against a top class opponents, many felt that there was a sense of destiny about the youngster's run to the final. He played some remarkable stuff to reach this stage of the tournament, although he would fall at the final hurdle.
Luke Humphries started the match much better of the two players, winning the first set at ease. He looked as though he would do so again in the second, although this 142 finish from Littler propelled helped him get off the mark and level things up.
142 FROM LITTLER!
Luke Littler has arrived in this final!
A 142 checkout to break throw in the second set!
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/imOZnoB6JI— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024
The pair would split the two sets that followed, playing some scintillating darts along the way.
From here, Littler looked likely to take control of the match. He the next two sets, making it three in-a-row to take a 4-2 lead in the match.
LITTLER LEADS!
For the first time in the match, Luke Littler takes the lead in the World Championship final!
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/btzpnZKipo— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024
However, Humphries would battle back and take the next two sets to level affairs once again.
From here, the 28-year old really powered on. While Littler would continue to take out some big finishes, it was his opponent that took a 6-4 lead.
HUMPHRIES ONE AWAY!
A crucial last dart D18 from Luke Humphries sees him move a set away from the title!
Is that the killer blow for Luke Littler?
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/HFVo4PvLvY— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024
In the end, Luke Humphries would win the final by reeling off five sets on the spin.
THE TENSION IN THAT FINISH! 😰
Luke Humphries lets it all out after winning the world title! 👑 pic.twitter.com/1BJYDFCBH6— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
READ HERE: Brendan Dolan Unimpressed By Luke Littler Moment In World Darts Championship Loss
Luke Littler shows elite mentality with comments after final loss
While this is a maiden word title for Luke Humphries, it is likely that most people will remember the tournament for the emergence of Luke Littler. The 16-year old was nothing short of sensational right from the outset, something that continued through to tonight's final.
You would imagine that he will get plenty of more opportunities to life the Sid Waddell Trophy in the years ahead, with many expecting him to become one of the all-time greats in the sport.
However, the teenager is not letting that praise go to his head. Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, he said that there was no guarantee that he would return to this stage of the tournament anytime soon.
"It's been unbelievable!" 🥰
What a journey it's been 'walking in a Luke Littler Wonderland' 🎶 pic.twitter.com/87XvxRFI8n— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
It's been unbelievable. The one negative thing was that I lost too many legs with my throw, so Luke could break me and hold and I'd be 2-0 down. That was the only negative and I couldn't win...
Every game has been good. It was just that one that really annoyed me, especially the misses. I really wanted to keep it going, that's what the crowd would have wanted. But fair play to Luke, he deserves it...
I'm happy with top 32 (in the world), a runner-up on my debut. It's just unbelievable...
Win a game and see what happens after (is his ambition for next year). I've got to the final, I might not get to another final for the next five or ten years, we don't know.
I can say I'm a runner-up, now I just want to go and win it.
Luke Littler certainly won't be resting on his laurels.
You get the sense that we are witnessing the emergence of a real sporting superstar.
SEE ALSO: Man Utd Messages Stand Out For Luke Littler In Incredible Darts Run
