In a gripping display of darts prowess at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, the darts world witnessed an electrifying clash at Players Championship 24, where young sensation Luke Littler faced off against the formidable Beau Greaves in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The event, part of the PDC ProTour series, showcased a field of 128 players vying for a £125,000 prize fund, with Littler, the reigning world champion, making his first ProTour appearance since April. The 18-year-old prodigy was pushed to his limits in a nail-biting encounter with Greaves, only to face a tough defeat against former world champion Rob Cross in the subsequent round.
The round of 32 matchup between Littler and Greaves was a spectacle, marking their first competitive meeting since 2019. Greaves, a three-time WDF women’s world champion at just 21 years old, brought her A-game, averaging an impressive 102 compared to Littler’s 96. The pair traded blows with eight 180s split evenly between them, showcasing their scoring power in an absorbing contest. The match went down to the wire, with Littler forced into a deciding leg. Demonstrating the composure that has made him a global darts phenomenon, Littler squeezed out a 6-5 victory, booking his place in the last 16. Greaves’ performance was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering her earlier triumph in the tournament, where she secured a 6-4 win over five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, a result that underscored her growing reputation as one of the sport’s brightest talents.
Despite the hard-fought victory, Littler’s journey at Players Championship 24 came to an abrupt end in the next round. Facing Rob Cross, a seasoned competitor and former world champion, Littler struggled to maintain his momentum. Cross, known for his clinical finishing and relentless focus, outplayed the young star to secure a 6-4 win, halting Littler’s progress in the tournament. The defeat was a setback for Littler, who currently sits at 51st in the Players Championship Order of Merit for 2025 and needs to remain in the top 64 to qualify for the Players Championship Finals later this year. Nevertheless, Littler’s performance against Greaves demonstrated his ability to compete under pressure, a testament to his meteoric rise in the sport.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Sweden’s Jeffrey de Graaf etched his name into the history books by claiming his maiden PDC ranking title. In a thrilling final, de Graaf edged out Stephen Bunting 8-7, overcoming a 4-1 deficit to become the first Swedish player to win a PDC ranking event. De Graaf’s path to victory was far from straightforward, with narrow wins over Adam Paxton, Ryan Searle, and Jose de Sousa, followed by more convincing triumphs against Michael Smith, Alan Soutar, and Scott Williams. His resilience shone through in the final, where he battled back to clinch a last-leg decider against Bunting, who had averaged over 99 in all seven of his matches that day.
Bunting himself delivered a series of standout performances, including a 6-1 rout of Rob Cross earlier in the tournament. The world No. 4 began his campaign with a 6-3 victory over Adam Hunt, followed by wins against Cam Crabtree, Sebastian Bialecki, and Brett Claydon. Despite his consistency, Bunting fell just short in the final, unable to capitalize on his early lead against de Graaf.
The tournament also saw other notable moments, including Michael van Gerwen’s elimination in the last 16 at the hands of Scott Williams, despite the Dutchman posting a staggering 107.97 average in a 6-3 defeat. The event highlighted the depth of talent in the PDC, with players like Greaves challenging the established order and newcomers like de Graaf seizing their moment in the spotlight.
For Littler, the loss to Cross was a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in his quest for dominance. Yet, his thrilling encounter with Greaves showcased his potential to compete with the best, regardless of gender or experience. As he reflected on his performance, Littler’s focus remained forward-looking: “I know my game is there, and I know I can come back if I am trailing in matches.” With the second Players Championship event scheduled for the following day, Littler and his rivals were poised to return to the oche, ready to continue their pursuit of glory in a sport that never fails to deliver drama and excitement.
Leave a Reply