Luke Littler is making waves in the world of darts, with his sights set firmly on clinching the Grand Slam of Darts title following a thrilling victory over Mike de Decker. Littler staged an incredible comeback from an 8-4 deficit to defeat the Belgian, ultimately advancing to the tournament’s quarter-finals in a match that had fans on the edge of their seats. De Decker, who had been just one dart away from victory when he narrowly missed the bullseye during a critical 170 checkout attempt, was left to rue what could have been.
The match showcased Littler’s resilience and ability to handle immense pressure. At only 17 years old, Littler is already being hailed as one of the sport’s brightest talents, and his performance against de Decker only solidified that reputation. In a race to 10 legs, Littler found himself in a difficult position, trailing by four legs before staging his remarkable comeback. Speaking about his victory afterward, Littler attributed his turnaround to a change in strategy. “I don’t know if I enjoyed that. I’ve got to feel for Mike. I didn’t think I was in the game, but I know I can always switch that gear,” Littler told *Sky Sports*.
The match started with de Decker looking dominant. He broke Littler twice and surged ahead with a 4-3 lead, posting an impressive average of over 116. Despite the early setback, Littler managed to secure a crucial break of his own, bringing the score level at 4-4. However, his momentum was short-lived as de Decker immediately broke back when Littler failed to hit the bullseye on a crucial checkout. The Belgian extended his advantage with a calm 110 checkout under pressure, eventually taking a commanding four-leg lead. At this stage, Littler’s hopes appeared slim.
What followed was a display of grit and determination from the young Englishman, who capitalized on a critical mistake by de Decker to close the gap to 8-6. With his confidence building, Littler held his throw to inch closer, trailing by just one leg. De Decker, however, responded by holding his own throw and moving within one leg of victory at 9-7. Littler, undeterred, found his rhythm and began landing maximums, eventually breaking de Decker’s throw to force a deciding leg. The tension in the arena was palpable as Littler slowed his pace, taking extra time to ensure each dart counted.
In the final leg, Littler maintained his composure, hitting treble 18 and double 16 to secure a memorable victory. After the match, Littler reflected on the intense battle, admitting he had moments of doubt. “Early on, I was at my normal pace, but towards the end, I was taking an extra second, and that helped me. I might have to throw like that from now on. I didn’t think I could overturn the deficit [in the final session]. I just can’t believe it,” he said, still processing his dramatic win.
Littler’s quarter-final opponent will be Jermaine Wattimena, who also emerged victorious in a nail-biting contest, edging out Dimitri van den Bergh 10-9. Wattimena’s victory was another highlight of a thrilling evening of darts, underscoring the high stakes and fierce competition present at the Grand Slam.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Gian van Veen put on a dominant display, cruising to a 10-2 victory over Ryan Joyce. Van Veen’s performance set up an enticing clash with the legendary Gary Anderson, who earned his spot in the next round by defeating Stephen Bunting 10-6. With each match, the level of intensity and skill on display is raising the bar, promising more fireworks in the quarter-finals and beyond.
The Grand Slam of Darts is proving to be a showcase of both established stars and rising talents like Littler, whose journey from underdog to potential champion has captivated fans. His ability to adapt under pressure and rally from near-defeat speaks to a maturity well beyond his years. As Littler continues to push forward, he has his eyes firmly on the prize, and the darts world is watching with bated breath. Should he continue to perform at this level, he may soon find himself standing atop the sport, fulfilling the lofty expectations that have followed him since his early days.
For now, the young star will prepare for his next challenge, with confidence bolstered by a performance that already feels like a defining moment in his burgeoning career. Regardless of the outcome in the next rounds, Luke Littler has shown he belongs among the sport’s elite, and his journey is far from over. The Grand Slam title is within reach, and his comeback victory over de Decker serves as a powerful reminder that in darts, as in life, no lead is truly safe when heart and determination come into play.