The Winmau World Darts Masters burst into life at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, and Luke Littler wasted no time reminding everyone why he sits at the summit of the sport. Yet, despite his status as world No. 1 and reigning world champion, the teenage sensation was pushed to the limit in a gripping opening-round encounter against Belgium’s Mike De Decker, eventually scraping through a pulsating best-of-five-sets battle 3–2.
Right from the opening leg, there was a sense inside the arena that this would be anything but routine for “The Nuke.” Littler arrived on the back of a phenomenal 2025 campaign, one that delivered multiple major titles and firmly established him as the dominant force in darts. Standing opposite him, however, was a De Decker with nothing to lose and everything to gain. The former World Grand Prix winner has built a reputation for raising his level against elite opponents, and despite an inconsistent run of results, he looked determined to make a statement on one of the biggest stages.
Littler began with authority. The opening set saw him settle quickly, finding his range with heavy scoring and trademark confidence on the outer ring. Maximums flowed, the crowd responded, and a composed finish on double top wrapped up the set 3–1. Early signs suggested the world champion was easing into his tournament in familiar fashion.
But De Decker had other ideas. The second set marked a clear shift in momentum as the Belgian began to find his rhythm. He piled in consecutive 180s, punished even the slightest dip from Littler, and broke throw at a crucial moment. Holding his nerve, De Decker levelled the match at one set apiece, drawing a huge roar from the crowd as belief spread around the arena.
The tension ramped up further in the third set, which turned into a high-quality scrap. Both players traded legs, neither willing to give an inch. Littler produced one of the moments of the match with a sensational 170 checkout to swing a key leg in his favour, but De Decker responded immediately, forcing the set into a decider. Under intense pressure, Littler showed his composure, pinning the bullseye to edge ahead 2–1 in sets.
Rather than fading, De Decker dug in even deeper. The fourth set saw him apply relentless pressure, breaking early and maintaining his focus to force a deciding set. His supporters made themselves heard, sensing that a shock result was suddenly within reach as the world champion was dragged into deep water.
What followed was pure drama. The final set delivered the kind of theatre darts fans crave, with both players holding throw as the tension became almost unbearable. Then came the decisive burst from Littler. Summoning his best when it mattered most, he produced back-to-back 11-dart legs and followed it with a crucial 121 finish to seize control. From there, he closed out the match with ruthless efficiency, landing double 16 to seal a hard-fought 3–2 victory.
Afterwards, Littler was quick to acknowledge the challenge he had faced. He admitted the contest was tougher than he expected, praising De Decker’s quality and intensity. He spoke of having to dig deep under pressure, adding that these are exactly the kind of tests that define major tournaments and make victories all the more satisfying.
De Decker, meanwhile, left the stage with his head held high. Although the head-to-head record continues to favour Littler, this encounter underlined the Belgian’s ability to trouble the very best and showed just how fine the margins are at the top level.
For Littler, surviving such an early scare could prove invaluable. With defending champion Luke Humphries and a host of other elite contenders waiting in the later rounds, battles like this can sharpen focus and build momentum. The World Masters is only just beginning, but if this opening clash is any indication, fans are in for a thrilling week. The Nuke is through—but he’s been reminded that every step of the journey will demand his very best.
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