Luke Littler produced one of the most sensational comebacks in World Matchplay history on Monday night, rallying from 7-2 down to defeat Jermaine Wattimena 13-11 in a thrilling second-round encounter at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
The 17-year-old sensation, nicknamed *βThe Nukeβ*, looked to be heading for an early exit after a sluggish start that saw the Dutchman dominate the opening exchanges. Wattimena, full of confidence after his first-round win over former world champion Peter Wright, capitalized on Littlerβs uncharacteristic misses to storm into a 7-2 lead.
But if there’s one thing the world has learned about Luke Littler in his meteoric rise over the past year, itβs never to count him out.
With the Blackpool crowd behind him, Littler found a second gear. His rhythm returned, his finishing sharpened, and the trademark scoring power that has stunned seasoned pros all year suddenly kicked into life. He rattled off four legs in a row to narrow the deficit to 7-6, bringing the match back to life and shifting momentum in spectacular fashion.
Wattimena, sensing the tide turning, attempted to slow things down and regain control, but Littler was relentless. Both players exchanged legs in a nervy back-and-forth midgame battle that had the crowd on edge. Every double was met with gasps or cheers, and every 180 from Littler sent the arena into a frenzy.
At 10-10, the match was anyoneβs to win, but Littler held his nerve under immense pressure. A crucial break of throw in the 22nd leg gave him the lead for the first time since the opening stages. He then closed out the match 13-11 with a clinical final leg, sealing what will go down as one of the most dramatic victories of his young career.
βI just told myself not to panic,β Littler said in his post-match interview. βI knew I wasnβt playing my best early on, but once I got into my rhythm and the crowd got behind me, I felt like I could turn it around. Iβm buzzing to get through.β
The victory sends Littler into the quarter-finals of the 2025 World Matchplay and keeps his dream alive of lifting the prestigious trophy in just his first appearance at the tournament. His comeback will surely fuel even more belief among his growing fanbase that heβs not just a future star β heβs very much a present force.
As for Wattimena, heβll be left wondering what went wrong after such a commanding lead. But he can take pride in pushing Littler to the limit in what was undoubtedly one of the matches of the tournament so far.
Next up, the darts world waits to see who The Nuke will face in the last eight. But one thingβs certain β with the kind of resilience and firepower Littler showed tonight, **nobody will want to be standing across the oche from him.**
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