The darts world is electrified by the unstoppable rise of Luke Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy known as “The Nuke,” whose meteoric ascent has captivated fans globally. Fresh off a commanding victory at the Australian Darts Masters, where he clinched the title with an 8-4 win over Mike De Decker, Littler has now set his sights on the 2025 New Zealand Darts Masters. On Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Auckland’s Spark Arena, Littler will face Belgium’s Mike De Decker in a highly anticipated quarter-final showdown. This rematch promises to be a thrilling spectacle, as Littler aims to extend his nine-match winning streak and secure back-to-back World Series titles, while De Decker seeks redemption after his recent defeat. With Littler’s scintillating form and the electric atmosphere of the PDC World Series, this match is one to watch.
Littler’s journey to the quarter-finals has been nothing short of remarkable. On Friday, August 15, he battled past New Zealand’s Mark Cleaver in a hard-fought 6-4 first-round victory, despite failing to hit a single 180—a rare occurrence that ended his staggering 222-match streak of landing at least one maximum per game. Reflecting on the match, Littler remained unfazed, saying, “I didn’t hit a 180? Didn’t even know, it didn’t happen,” with a characteristic grin that charmed the press room. His ability to grind out a win against Cleaver, whom he noted was “not the quickest player,” showcased his resilience. Littler attributed his performance to ongoing adjustments with his equipment, admitting, “They were out for a few legs, but I’ve been throwing with the Black Pixels. They won me the Matchplay, so really I should stick to them.” His focus now turns to De Decker, a familiar foe he defeated convincingly in Australia just a week ago.
The quarter-final clash, set for Saturday evening at Spark Arena, pits Littler, the world number two and third seed in Auckland, against De Decker, ranked 19th in the PDC Order of Merit. Their head-to-head record heavily favors Littler, who holds a 4-0 advantage, including an 8-5 win in the European Tour final in March 2025 and a 10-3 thrashing in the Players Championship quarter-finals in November 2024. De Decker, however, is no pushover, having landed four 180s in a 6-1 rout of Gordon Mathers in his first-round match in Auckland. His performance in Australia, where he reached the final, signals his growing confidence, and he playfully remarked after that loss, “He needs to retire because it’s not fun anymore.” Littler, unfazed, is ready for the challenge, stating, “I’m just glad to get it over and done with, switch on for tomorrow, and hopefully have another long night.”
Littler’s form heading into this match is nothing short of spectacular. His nine-match winning streak, which includes titles at the World Matchplay and Australian Darts Masters, has seen him post an astonishing average of 108.92, with his lowest average still a formidable 91.80. His dominance in Blackpool, where he became the youngest World Matchplay champion with a 18-13 victory over James Wade, cemented his status as the fifth player to complete darts’ Triple Crown, joining legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. In Auckland, Littler’s clinical finishing and relentless scoring—evidenced by eight 140-plus scores and 14 100-plus scores against Cleaver—make him a formidable opponent. Fans should watch for his ability to maintain composure under pressure, especially against De Decker’s aggressive style, which could push Littler to elevate his game further.
The New Zealand Darts Masters, part of the PDC World Series, carries a £100,000 prize pool, with £30,000 for the winner, and Littler’s pursuit of the title is about more than just money—it’s about closing the gap on world number one Luke Humphries, who also advanced in Auckland despite feeling “out of sorts.” Littler’s relaxed approach to the rankings race is evident: “Luke knows what he’s got to do. I know myself I’m right behind him.” The match against De Decker will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Darts, with streaming available via Sky Go or NOW TV, starting around 7:00 PM local time, though the exact time may shift depending on earlier matches. Key moments to watch include Littler’s checkout precision, particularly on doubles, and whether De Decker can disrupt his rhythm with high-scoring bursts.
As Littler prepares for this pivotal clash, his ability to shrug off the end of his 180 streak with humor and focus underscores his maturity. Jet lag from the grueling Southern Hemisphere double-header hasn’t dimmed his fire, as he noted, “We’ll have a good few days off and try to get some sleep.” With the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam looming in September, Littler’s performance in Auckland could set the tone for another historic run. Whether he’s landing maximums or grinding out wins, “The Nuke” remains must-watch entertainment, and his showdown with De Decker promises to deliver fireworks.
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