Luke Littler misplaced to Beau Greaves in a semi-final epic on the World Youth Championship – lower than 24 hours after he thumped Luke Humphries to win his first World Grand Prix title.
Littler made the journey to Wigan for Monday’s qualifiers having trounced world No 1 Humphries 6-1 in Leicester on Sunday night time to clinch his seventh main title within the PDC and fourth of 2025, after the World Championship, UK Open and World Matchplay.
{The teenager} – who survived match darts in an earlier spherical in opposition to Charlie Manby, recovering from 5-3 right down to win 6-5 – was pipped by ladies’s world No 1 Greaves in a last-leg decider, shedding with a 107 common as Greaves averaged 105.
Greaves will now tackle reigning champion Gian van Veen within the World Youth Championship remaining at Butlin’s in Minehead on Sunday November 23 after the Dutchman noticed off Sebastian Bialecki.
Littler needs Greaves ‘all the very best’ in remaining: ‘She is a few expertise’
Taking to social media after his loss, Littler mentioned: “I had two 10-dart legs, missed double 12 for a nine and still couldn’t win. Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent.”
That Greaves-Van Veen encounter will likely be sandwiched between the semi-finals and remaining of the Gamers Championship Finals on the identical venue.
Subsequently, Van Veen might find yourself taking part in in all three of these matches.
Gian van Veen will look to defend his World Youth title when he performs Greaves at Minehead on November 23
Littler received the World Youth Championship in 2023, beating Van Veen 6-4 within the remaining, however opted out final yr with Van Veen occurring to take the title after defeating Jurjen van de Velde.
The World Youth Championship will be entered by gamers between the ages of 16-23, so Littler, 18, might nonetheless make many extra appearances.
The world No 2 is now scheduled to function within the Gamers Championship occasions in Wigan on Tuesday and Wednesday however is not going to journey to Hildesheim for this weekend’s German Darts Championship.
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Highlights of the World Grand Prix remaining as Littler hammered world No 1 Luke Humphries 6-1 in Leicester
Talking on Sunday about his choice to play within the 2025 World Youth Championship, Littler informed Sky Sports activities: “I’ll head to the World Youths, see everyone and have a bit of fun.
“I do not assume anybody goes to be my good friend but it surely’s 20 minutes up the highway and I’ll strive my finest. I might have had the time off, however why not?
“Play the World Youth, then two [PDC] ProTours in Wigan and have the weekend off.”
The subsequent darts main reside on Sky Sports activities is the Grand Slam of Darts from November 8-16, earlier than the World Darts Championship runs from December 11-January 3.
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