Unstoppable Luke Littler faces fired-up Price in Blackpool Final

WARRINGTON’S Luke Littler stormed into tonight’s (Sunday) World Matchplay final with a 17-5 demolition of Dirk van Duijvenbode, setting up a blockbuster showdown against Gerwyn Price in Blackpool.

The 19-year-old world number one put on a darting masterclass at the Winter Gardens, ensuring he remains on track to become the first player in a decade to retain the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.
Littler was in imperious form from the opening leg in last night’s semi-final, racing to an 8-2 lead while averaging an astronomical 117.10. Though his scoring pace dipped slightly after he admitted to being distracted by Phil Taylor’s single-match tournament record (114.99), “The Nuke” still closed out a comprehensive victory with a 110.88 match average, continuing his streak of tournament averages above 109.16 maximums (180s) smashed into the treble bed.
He also reached a historic financial milestone, becoming the first player in PDC history to surpass £3 million in career prize money.

The final will be contested over a gruelling, extended format at the Winter Gardens, with the best of 35 legs. Littler enters as the overwhelming favourite, having won his last nine consecutive meetings against Price.
Price’s last victory over the teenager came back in January. Price has publicly claimed that other players “make it too easy” for Littler and vowed to turn the final into a roaring, high-intensity battle. Littler responded calmly, stating his plan is to simply pull ahead early and let his darts do the talking.
Littler is hunting for a calendar-year sweep of PDC majors, while Price is searching for his maiden Phil Taylor Trophy.