Quarter-Final result: Luke Littler🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 6-2 🇧🇪Mike De Decker

In the electrifying atmosphere of the New Zealand Darts Masters, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler once again proved why he’s the sport’s brightest star, storming past Belgium’s Mike De Decker with a commanding 6-2 victory in the quarter-finals. The young Englishman, known as “The Nuke,” showcased his trademark precision and unrelenting pace, leaving the Belgian struggling to keep up in a match that underscored Littler’s dominance in the 2025 season. Held in Auckland, this World Series event highlighted the global rise of darts, with Littler at the forefront of its surge in popularity.

Littler’s path to the quarter-finals was far from smooth, as he narrowly escaped an upset in the first round, edging out New Zealand’s Haupai Puha in a thrilling 6-5 decider. However, against De Decker, the world champion was in scintillating form, averaging close to 100 and displaying the clinical finishing that has made him a household name. The match began with Littler asserting early control, racing to a 3-1 lead with a series of high-scoring legs and pinpoint doubles. De Decker, the world number 19 and a formidable opponent fresh off a stunning 6-0 whitewash of world number one Luke Humphries in the Australian Darts Masters quarter-finals, showed flashes of brilliance, including a maximum 180, but couldn’t match Littler’s consistency. “I played very well tonight; I didn’t play so well last night, but tonight is when it really matters,” Littler said after a recent victory, a sentiment that rang true as he dispatched De Decker with ease.

The Belgian, known as “The Real Deal,” entered the match with high hopes after his remarkable run in Australia the previous weekend, where he reached the final only to fall 8-4 to Littler. In Auckland, De Decker aimed to turn the tables, but Littler’s relentless pressure proved too much. After falling behind, De Decker managed to hold throw in one leg to keep the scoreline respectable, but Littler’s 12-dart holds and a crucial break in the fifth leg put the match out of reach. The teenager sealed the win with a clinical double 10, a favorite checkout that has become a hallmark of his game. “It feels very good. It’s another one I can tick off,” Littler remarked after his Australian triumph, and his performance in New Zealand suggested he’s adding more titles to his growing collection.

Littler’s 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Since claiming the PDC World Championship in January at just 17 years and 347 days, he has added the UK Open, Belgian Darts Open, World Matchplay, and Australian Darts Masters to his resume, cementing his status as a generational talent. His victory over De Decker in Auckland came on the heels of a grueling schedule, with the young star traveling from Blackpool to Australia and now New Zealand, yet showing no signs of fatigue. “I can’t wait. We’ll have a good few days off, try and get some more sleep because us players don’t have it easy,” Littler quipped, highlighting the demands of the global circuit.

De Decker, despite the loss, remains a rising force in darts. His run to the Australian Darts Masters final, where he defeated Humphries and Chris Dobey, showcased his potential to compete at the highest level. After that final, he jokingly remarked, “He [Littler] needs to retire because it’s not fun anymore,” a nod to the teenager’s dominance. In Auckland, De Decker’s 89.66 average paled in comparison to Littler’s 98.69, and while he managed a 50 percent checkout rate, missed opportunities on doubles cost him dearly. His earlier victory over Humphries, where he averaged 103.66, proved he can challenge the sport’s elite, but Littler’s ability to elevate his game in crucial moments remains unmatched.

The New Zealand Darts Masters is a key stop on the World Series circuit, drawing sell-out crowds and amplifying darts’ global appeal. Littler’s performance captivated the Auckland audience, with fans buzzing over his flair and confidence. His victory sets up an exciting semi-final clash, as he continues his quest for a second consecutive World Series title. The teenager’s heavy scoring, including frequent 180s and a penchant for double 10, has drawn comparisons to darts legend Phil Taylor, who once said, “Darts has gone crazy. You wouldn’t believe the difference since young Luke came along.”

As Littler advances, the darts world watches in awe, wondering just how far this prodigy can go. With a Premier League showdown against Humphries looming in Nottingham, Littler’s focus remains razor-sharp. For De Decker, the loss is a setback, but his recent successes, including a £120,000 prize for winning the 2024 World Grand Prix, signal a bright future. In Auckland, however, it was Littler’s night, as he continues to redefine what’s possible in darts, one dart at a time.