Luke Littler delivered another thrilling performance at the UK Open, keeping fans on edge with a dramatic 10-9 victory over Peter Wright on Friday.
The 18-year-old rising star had been in control with leads of 7-4 and 9-7, but the experienced 54-year-old Wright fought back to level the match at 9-9, setting up a tense final leg.
Playing It Smart Instead of Flashy
With 170 remaining, Littler had a chance to seal the win in style after narrowly missing a match dart at bullseye earlier.
As he stepped up, he nailed two triple 20s, setting himself up perfectly for a spectacular ‘Big Fish’ finish.
But instead of going for the glory shot, he opted for a safer approach, hitting a 10 to leave himself 40 for his next turn.
The decision didn’t sit well with some fans, who wanted to see the teenager end the match with a flourish.
Boos and jeers rang out, but Littler took it in stride, smiling and wagging his finger while mouthing, “Not a chance.”
With Wright still on 228, Littler knew he had breathing room and coolly sealed the win with a double 20 on his next visit, celebrating with a fist bump.
Fan Reactions: Divided Opinions
Littler’s decision to play it safe sparked debate among fans.
Some were disappointed, feeling he missed an opportunity to make a statement.
“Littler not going bull for the big fish to win is criminal!” one fan posted, while another added, “Littler had the 170, played it sensible, and left double top..?”
Others, however, praised his maturity.
“Proper maturity from Littler there, absolutely the right thing to do not to go for the bull. What an unbelievable game too,” one fan commented.
Even Littler himself joined in the discussion, taking to social media to share a clip of the moment, writing, “No fishing today. Always great to win a last-leg decider. On to the next round.”
Littler’s Fiery Exchange with the Crowd in Dublin
This isn’t the first time Littler has had a moment with the crowd.
Just a week ago, he faced a tough reception in Dublin during his Premier League clash with Gerwyn Price.
The 18-year-old struggled against the Welshman, losing 6-4 in the quarter-finals – marking his fifth consecutive defeat to Price.
The tension between Littler and the crowd was evident.
After hitting a double 14 to reduce the deficit, he gestured to the booing fans, telling them to calm down with a flicking motion.
It was an unusual display of emotion from Littler, who is typically composed on stage.
His frustration boiled over after the match as he walked off stage and tossed his darts case onto the floor.
Near Miss at the Premier League Event in Exeter
Despite the setback in Dublin, Littler bounced back at this week’s Premier League event in Exeter, making it all the way to the final.
Although he fell just short in a 6-4 loss to Luke Humphries, he still made headlines with an impressive performance, hitting a record-breaking 10 180s in his quarter-final win over Stephen Bunting.
What’s Next for Littler?
With his UK Open campaign still alive, Littler now sets his sights on the next round, where he faces Jermaine Wattimena.
Bookmakers are backing him as the clear favorite at 1/5 odds to win the match and 5/2 to claim the UK Open title.
As he continues to make waves in the darts world, all eyes will be on Littler to see if he can keep his composure, silence the doubters, and go all the way in the tournament.