Luke Littler has beaten Stephen Bunting to book his place in the final of the World Darts Championship.
The 17-year-old was favourite to progress into the final for a second year running and swept 39-year-old Bunting aside to win by 6 sets to 1 at Alexandra Palace in London.
He will face three-time champion Michael van Gerwen for the title on Friday night. A win for Littler would make him the youngest world champion in the sport.
Speaking to Sky Sports Darts after the semi-final win, Littler said it has “been an amazing tournament so far”.
“People would say I was looking at the title throughout the tournament.
“After the first game against Ryan Meikle, I have just beat what was in front of me.”
Littler averaged 105.48 with 13 180s and 44% on his doubles in the semi-final.
He also took out three ton-plus finishes, including a ‘big fish’ 170.
The teenage sensation admitted he has “played a lot better” since reaching last year’s World Championship final.
“I’ve won plenty of titles leading up to this. That’s what we do.
“There are majors all year around and I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”
Earlier on Thursday evening, van Gerwen booked a place in his seventh World final with a win over Chris Dobey.
Littler, known as The Nuke, also told Sky Sports that if both he and van Gerwen “turn up like we did tonight, it will be really good”.
“We all know he’s hunting for a fourth world title. I’m hunting for my first.”
He added that after his semi-final win, he’ll do the “same as last night, go home, chill out and come back tomorrow”.
Friday night’s final at Alexandra Palace sees the two biggest names in the sport go head-to-head for the Sid Waddell Trophy. Van Gerwen, from the Netherlands, last won the title in 2019.
This year’s winner will collect a £500,000 prize with the runner-up getting £250,000.
Source : https://news.sky.com/story/littler-books-place-in-world-darts-championship-final-13277990
