LITTLER “FELL ASLEEP” BEFORE DUMPING DIMI
24/01/2025 By Phil Lanning
By Phil Lanning
LUKE LITTLER admitted he “fell asleep” before setting up another blockbuster clash with Michael van Gerwen.
The 18-year-old ground out a 6-4 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh in his Dutch Masters opener in Den Bosch last night (Friday).
However, the teen sensation needed to hit three 180s in the last two legs to get over the line after a mid-match slump.
On going up a gear, he admitted: “I had to. Dimitri was behind me all the way. But two-nil up, fell asleep and I had to find other gears.
“The World Series is a massive thing. You go to all these different countries. But I would say it’s match practice for the Premier League.”
Littler now faces Van Gerwen in the quarters, a repeat of their World Final clash at the Ally Pally three weeks ago.
He added: “Obviously I’d like to get another win and progress to the semi-final.
“I think Michael might be thinking he wants revenge, especially in his backyard.
“It would be a good thing to beat him in his backyard. Like I said, win that game and guarantee myself a place in the semi-final.”
Van den Bergh surprisingly dumped his classic Happy walk-on song and dance for the occasion. It was replaced by Play Hard by David Guetta.
When asked about it, Littler replied: “I don’t really know. I think it’s good for us players that he’s not there dancing around!
“So we get to walk-on quicker. He can take his time. It’s a good song.”
2025 TOTO Dutch Darts Masters
First Round
Rob Cross 6-3 Richard Veenstra
Kevin Doets 6-1 Nathan Aspinall
Stephen Bunting 6-5 Gian van Veen
Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Chris Dobey
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Danny Noppert
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Luke Humphries
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Luke Littler 6-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh
