Luke Littler continued his impressive run of form on the PDC circuit with another hard-fought victory, defeating Jeffrey de Graaf 6–4 in the Players Championship event in Wigan. The 17-year-old prodigy once again showcased his composure and class under pressure, proving why he’s considered one of the brightest young stars in world darts.
The match began at a blistering pace, with both players exchanging heavy scoring in the opening legs. Littler immediately found his rhythm, landing several 180s and maintaining a strong scoring average to edge ahead early on. De Graaf, however, was far from intimidated. The experienced Dutchman matched Littler dart for dart, keeping the contest tight throughout the opening exchanges.
By the midpoint of the match, the pair were level at 3–3, with neither player able to break away. Littler, known for his fearless approach and clinical finishing, began to step up the intensity in the seventh leg. He produced a crucial break of throw with a stunning 12-dart leg, capped off by a double 16 finish that drew applause from the Wigan crowd. That moment seemed to shift the momentum firmly in his favour.
Despite de Graaf fighting back to make it 5–4, Littler remained composed on the oche. In the final leg, he produced a superb combination finish under pressure to seal the 6–4 victory and move into the next round. It was another example of Littler’s growing maturity and his ability to handle tight matches against seasoned professionals.
After the win, Littler expressed his satisfaction with the performance, noting that every match in these tournaments helps him gain valuable experience. “Jeffrey’s a tough opponent,” he said. “He pushed me all the way, and I had to dig deep to get over the line. It’s always great to keep progressing, especially in these Players Championship events where the standard is so high.”
The victory adds to Littler’s growing list of accomplishments in 2025. Having already made deep runs in several televised tournaments this season, his consistency on the Pro Tour is becoming just as impressive as his big-stage performances. Many fans and pundits believe it’s only a matter of time before he adds another title to his rapidly growing résumé.
For de Graaf, the defeat was a tough one to take after such a competitive showing, but he can take positives from pushing one of the game’s best young players to the limit. His scoring was consistent, and his doubles were sharp for most of the contest—signs that he’s capable of going deep in future events.
As for Littler, the win in Wigan further cements his status as a genuine contender in every event he enters. With his fearless approach, natural scoring power, and calm finishing, he continues to prove that age is no barrier to success at the top level of darts. Fans will now be watching closely to see how far “The Nuke” can go in this latest Players Championship campaign.
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