Luke Littler admitted that it ‘means a lot’ to win back-to-back Ladbrokes UK Open titles despite not performing at his glittering best across the tournament at Butlin’s Minehead Resort. The World Champion claimed a fifth consecutive Premier event title on Sunday, defeating James Wade 11-7 in a hard-fought contest to get his hands the UK […]
Luke Littler admitted that it ‘means a lot’ to win back-to-back Ladbrokes UK Open titles despite not performing at his glittering best across the tournament at Butlin’s Minehead Resort.
The World Champion claimed a fifth consecutive Premier event title on Sunday, defeating James Wade 11-7 in a hard-fought contest to get his hands the UK Open trophy for the second year straight.
The 19-year-old phenom averaged 99.58 against darting veteran Wade in a dogged performance, winning the final four legs on the bounce with the match level at 7-7 to sprint over the line.
“It was a battle,” confessed Littler, who was averaging 10 points higher than Wade when the match was in the balance 14 legs in.
“I took the lead back late on, and at the end I managed to keep the lead and get the job done.
“If James had hit some of those darts at double top it would have been a completely different game, but me and James always have a good battle.”
Littler’s opponent in the final for the second straight year was a UK Open ever-present, as Wade is the only player to appear at all 24 editions of the tournament since its inception in 2003.
The 42-year-old claimed his maiden UK Open title in 2008 when Littler was less than 18 months old, testament to his longevity at the summit of the sport.
A three-time UK Open champion, the final on Sunday was Wade’s fifth across his career, a feat that can only be topped by Phil Taylor.
“James was obviously one of the ones I always watched growing up,” recalled Littler.
“All these people that I’m beating, thinking back to ten years ago, I was watching them.
“James is absolute class. I said to him, ‘I’ve beat you back-to-back now, you can have it next year,’ and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s if I’m still around.’
“I think he’s still got a lot left in the tank.“
Littler’s route to the final was far from straightforward, averaging less than a ton in three of his six matches in Minehead – against Damon Heta and Kevin Doets in his opening two matches, and Wade in the final.
The 19-year-old still recorded averages in excess of 102 and 104 to put out former UK Open winners Gary Anderson and Danny Noppert respectively, before downing Josh Rock 11-9 despite missing 25 attempts at double through the contest.
“I didn’t play my best this tournament,” admitted the world number one.
“To come here and not play my best but still pick up the title means a lot.
“I wasn’t happy with my performances in the early rounds but you have to dig deep, and that’s what I did against Josh [Rock], Danny [Noppert] and even against Kevin Doets, which was probably the biggest test of all.
“I don’t think it’s been the best of tournaments for myself averages wise, but I’ve dug deep throughout the tournament and I’ve come out with the win.
“I played well in patches, missed a lot of doubles, but if I can win major titles not playing my best, what can I do playing my best?”
Despite being the favourite to retain his title, there were question marks around Littler’s form before the tournament began.
The world number one had picked up just one win in the four opening weeks of the Premier League, but victory in Cardiff on Night Five not only surged Littler into a Play-Off spot, but surged his confidence too.
“The form hasn’t gone my way in the Premier League, so to win in Cardiff meant a lot,” affirmed Littler.
“I don’t think many people expected me to come here and win, and I don’t think many people expected me to win in the Premier League on Thursday.
“To beat Gezzy and Jonny in their backyard, hit a 170 against them both and win the title meant a lot.
“I had a little dry spell, but I think I can say I’m back!”
Litter’s success at the UK Open extended his winning streak in Premier ranking events to 31, since his loss to Wade at the European Championship last October.
This run of wins is the third-most in PDC history, behind only Van Gerwen (42) and Taylor (34).
Littler is also only the fourth player to retain the UK Open title after Raymon van Barneveld, Taylor and Van Gerwen, whilst only the latter two players can better the 19-year-old’s 12 Premier event titles won across their careers.
“I’ve broken many records,” asserted Littler.
“Coming into the tournament I saw that the last person to go back-to-back was Michael ten years ago, same as the World Championship, so that was the target I set myself!
“I don’t think there’s many people to have won this twice, never mind back-to-back, so to be a multiple UK Open champion means a lot.
“To win and hold all the big titles at the same time is the main aim.”