World Darts Championship: Luke Littler’s dreams ended by Luke Humphries in sensational final | Darts News

Luke Littler beaten 7-4 by world number 1 Luke Humphries in final; Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday 1 February as Cardiff kick off the 17-week extravaganza through to the Play-Offs on Thursday 23 May at the O2, London.

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Check out the best moments from the 2024 World Darts Championship final

Luke Littler's World Darts Championship dreams were finally ended by world number 1 Luke Humphries in a sensational final at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday evening.

Humphries battled back from 4-2 down to win five straight sets and claim his first world title 7-4 to make it four major victories in a row following his success at the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Final in recent months.

“I will learn a lot from this and it will be a moment that will never be forgotten,” Humphries said. Aerial sports. “I don’t want to say I’ve finished darts, but whatever you want on the CV, I’ve done it now, so now it’s about motivating yourself to do more and more.

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Humphries said he couldn't ask for more after winning the world darts champion title

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Luke Humphries hits the winning darts to defeat Luke Littler 7-4 in the World Darts Championship final

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Littler was pleased with his incredible run to the final, despite losing to Humphries.

Littler said: “It's been amazing. The only negative was that I lost too many legs with my throw for Luke to break me.

“That was the only negative, I just couldn't hold my shot and I didn't win. Every match was good but this one really bothered me, especially the three misses to continue.

“That’s what the crowd wanted, but fair play to Luke, he deserves it.”

Humphries started better, capitalizing on a slow start from Littler to win the first set 3-1 with an average of 99.2 despite missing eight darts in doubles.

It didn't take long for “The Nuke” to discover his best in the second set, coming back from 2-1 down by producing two 12-dart legs with the help of a spectacular 142 checkout and a “Shanghai” 120 finishes.

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Littler scored a 142 and a 120 to win the second set

The third set also went the distance with 'Cool Hand' edging him 2-0 to regain the upper hand with a check-out of 116 to win, but the teenage sensation from Warrington fought back to secure the fourth set 3-1 and restore parity. with an average of 99 and an impressive 47 percent in doubles.

It was 2-2 in the sets and 9-9 in the first legs with nothing separating the two players.

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Littler nailed that crate 122 to Humphries' despair

For the first time in the match, the player who started the set won after nine breaks in 22 sets, with junior world champion Littler taking the lead for the first time in the match before closing out the fifth set, with an average of one ton.

The new world number 1 found himself under pressure here as Littler reached nine sets of the last 11 to open up a two-set advantage at 4-2.

Humphries scored his second 170 in a matter of days in a carnage-filled seventh set.

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Humphries eliminated “The Big Fish” in the final

Littler responded with a third-plus ton of the final round – a checkout of 122 – which Wayne Mardle described as “nasty, dirty, nasty!” in the commentary box, before Humphries survived a set dart before sealing it on a double 14 to reduce the deficit.

And Humphries made an elegant check-out of 121 on the bull to make straight sets to get back level with an average of 114.17, but that also coincided with a slight drop from Littler.

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Humphries brought out this 121 crate in a sensational finale

The 28-year-old Newbury thrower made 108 consecutive bets to lead 2-0 in the ninth set and although the teenager struggled to get to the next level, a 180 to start the set and a 36 allowed for Humphries to win the leg and secured in 11 darts.

A relentless Humphries powered through four sets as he took complete control of the final to move within one set of the title, despite Littler launching his own “Big Fish”.

However, it was 'Cool Hand' who got his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy to become the 12th different PDC World Champion after scoring a double 8.

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Humphries pinned 108 consecutive crates

Of Littler, Humphries said: “I'm not just saying this because it will please everyone, but Luke is an incredible talent.

“Not just about the darts game, he was fantastic with all the media that came with him and he took the defeat so well.

“He told me to go on and party. You'll never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old like him who's just something else.

“I really hope he'll be in the Premier League because if he doesn't want to play there fair enough, but I think he'd be delighted to play alongside them this year.

“He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about it.”

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Littler scored his own 170 checkout in an incredible final

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Watch highlights of Humphries' thrilling victory over Littler in the World Championship final

Social media reaction to Humphries' victory…

Premier League Darts returns to Sky Sports on Thursday 1 February as Cardiff kick off the 17-week extravaganza through to the Play-Offs on Thursday 23 May. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract NOW