LITTLER FIRED UP TO DEFEND UK OPEN TITLE
06/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
LUKE LITTLER admits he has “fire” to go back-to-back with UK Open title wins.
The World No1 began his defence with a comfortable 10-3 win over Damon Heta in Minehead on Friday night.
Littler, 19, lost the opening leg but soon took control with a blitz of six successive legs which included a Hollywood 132 finish with two bulls and also produced seven perfect darts.
The Nuke, who also hit a ‘Big Fish’ 170 finish, revealed that he has his heart set on retaining his crown, the first player to do that at the UK Open since Michael van Gerwen a decade ago.
He said: “Same as the Worlds, the last person to go back-to-back was 10 years ago which was Michael van Gerwen.
“There’s a bit of fire there to go back-to-back. That’s the main focus.”
Littler was always in command while Heta struggled to find consistency. Heta only picked up two more legs after taking the opener and The Nuke wrapped it up with a wonderful 120 finish.
DANNY NOPPERT hit a nine-darter in a deciding leg to beat Dimitri Van den Bergh 10-9 – despite being violently sick.
He admitted: “Never felt this bad before a match. Threw up five times and had serious stomach issues. Still managed to win and finished it with a 9-darter. In bed now, hoping to feel better tomorrow.”
World No3 Gian van Veen was sent crashing out 10-7 by ROB CROSS. LUKE HUMPHRIES breezed by Luke Woodhouse 10-3. GARY ANDERSON beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 10-6.
