If a player hit a nine-darter on the World Matchplay stage, that would usually go down as their highlight. That is just the tip of the iceberg for Luke Littler in 2026.Littler came into Blackpool as the reigning and defending champion with the expectations on his shoulders to deliver.
He has and then some. The numbers are jaw-dropping:
113 average in first round (second-highest at Matchplay behind Phil Taylor’s 114.99 in 2010)109 average in second round and quarter-finalsNine-darter vs Nathan Aspinall17 180s vs Josh Rock14 180s vs Nathan Aspinall
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Highlights of the quarter-final between Luke Littler and Josh Rock
If his heights were not already incomprehensible, they have gone up a notch.Not only that, Littler knows he can dominate.
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Littler admits he’s playing some of the best darts of his career after a dominant win over Rock
“I feel really good up on the stage. Preparations beforehand have gone really well, just relaxing, playing and relaxing again. I am just glad I can perform on the biggest stages,” Littler said.
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Highlights of the thrilling second-round match between Littler and Nathan Aspinall
“I feel like I can. Obviously a 109 average, a 113 and back down to a 109 average comes with the big finishes. The scoring power is there as well.
“As long as I can keep it up, I’m sure I will dominate. Next game, let’s get it back up to the 113s.”
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Littler produced an incredible nine-darter in the opening leg of his match with Aspinall
That next game will see Dirk van Duijvenbode…
2026-07-23 22:43:00
