LITTLER FIGHTS BACK TO KEEP UK OPEN TITLE DEFENCE ALIVE
08/03/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
By Phil Lanning
LUKE LITTLER is still on course to make history with back-to-back UK Open titles.
The World No.1 came from 3-0 down to grind out a 10-6 win over Danny Noppert to reach the semi-finals in Minehead.
Littler, 19, had to dig deep after another lack lustre afternoon start but in the end looked back to his explosive best.
The Nuke is chasing a FIFTH successive major title and hasn’t been beaten in a TV major since October 25.
He is now in his SIXTEENTH TV semi-final in just over two years and is yet to lose one.
Littler would only be the fourth player to win successive UK Open titles, only previously achieved by Raymond van Barneveld, Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen.
He said: “It can be a long day with three games. But for myself it’s just about getting past this afternoon.
“Everyone knows I don’t like the afternoon sessions. Me and Danny have had some good battles in the past.
“I don’t think the tournament has been the best towards the averages and the 180s. But the finishing is there which it isn’t usually.
“But heedfully I can all get it together today.”
Noppert made the stronger start and rapidly moved into a 3-0 lead with Littler having missed five darts at doubles.
But the teen sensation soon found his rhythm.
He eventually took the lead at 6-5 and turned on the afterburners, including seven perfect darts as he led 9-6. It was eventually wrapped up with double 11.
In the other quarters so far; Josh Rock KO’d Krzysztof Ratajski 10-7 and James Wade beat Rob Cross 10-9.
Image by Taylor Lanning.
