LITTLER ADMITS “FIGHT” IN BAHRAIN WIN

LUKE LITTLER admitted he will always “fight” after a battling opening World Series win. 

The Warrington wonderkid had to come from 2-0 down to beat Man Lok Leung 6-3 in the Bahrain Masters. 

Littler, 16, looked a bit rusty with a hatful of missed doubles but delivered a sensational 151, 136 and 120 finishes to get back into the victory groove. 

He said: “I’m just happy to get over the line. I have always said to myself it takes a leg or two to get into the game. You could see that it did.

“I got the next five legs with two ton-pluses. It always take a leg or two to get into it.

“Was there a little bit of rust? Yeah. I’ve not had a proper game, a professional game, since the World Championship final.

“I was thinking, I am 2-0 down, whatever happens, happens.

“But I fight until the end. Once I got a leg or two, I was in.

“A big finish always helps. When you lose the throw and then he breaks you, and you are 2-0 down, it’s a bit different. I am glad I got into the game and got over the line.

“It’s crazy seeing so many people. It’s always a good thing that the players have a bit of a crowd to play in front of. But it’s totally different to Ally Pally. You can hear everything that is going on. I’m just glad to get over the line.”

Littler will now face stablemate Nathan Aspinall in the quarters after he squeezed past Lourence Ilagan 6-5. 

Aspinall said: “We practised together before the world championship. We both know each other’s game. We bought played set play. But it’s the first to six legs, straight legs, no breaks. It will be good for our management to see us both play. I cannot wait.

“I couldn’t wait to play darts. I didn’t want to practice. I just wanted to play a game. That is usually the case. I don’t practice because I want to get on stage and perform.”

Peter Wright needed a last leg decider to beat Hakuri Muramatsu 6-5 while Michael Smith also on just beat Paolo Nebrida in the final leg. 

There were comfortable wins for Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross.