In a heart-stopping display of resilience, Luke Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks of his young career at the 2025 World Matchplay Darts tournament in Blackpool, clawing his way back from a 7-2 deficit to defeat Jermaine Wattimena 13-11 in a thrilling tiebreak. The second-round clash at the Winter Gardens on July 23, 2025, showcased the 18-year-old’s unyielding spirit, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer. “I’m a world champion for a reason, I find these gears when I need it,” Littler declared to Sky Sports’ Polly James post-match, his voice brimming with conviction as he pointed to the star on his shirt, a symbol of his 2025 World Championship triumph.
The match began disastrously for Littler, who looked uncharacteristically rattled as Wattimena, a seasoned Dutch player known for his rapid throwing, stormed to a 4-0 lead in the best-of-21-legs encounter. By the second session, Wattimena’s relentless scoring, including back-to-back 180s and an 11-darter, stretched his advantage to 7-2, leaving the Winter Gardens crowd stunned. “Wattimena meant business and stormed into a 4-0 lead that left heads spinning,” one observer noted, capturing the electric atmosphere. Littler, trailing by five legs, faced a daunting challenge against a player who had never beaten him in their four prior meetings, including a crushing 16-2 defeat at the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts.
Yet, Littler’s resolve ignited before the second break. After pulling back a leg to make it 7-3, he unleashed a defiant roar, gesturing to the crowd and signaling his intent to fight on. “I’m staying here,” he seemed to declare, a moment that shifted the match’s momentum. Returning reinvigorated, Littler reeled off six consecutive legs, including a 120 checkout, to seize an 8-7 lead. “Littler was playing with a lot of emotion,” commentators observed, as the teenager’s power scoring overwhelmed Wattimena’s earlier poise. The Dutchman, who had been “throwing at one pace” that suited Littler’s rhythm, struggled to regain control, as predicted by compatriot Vincent van der Voort: “He plays fast. That’s exactly what Littler wants.”
The match hurtled toward a tiebreak at 10-10, with both players trading blows in a nerve-wracking finale. Littler missed two match darts at 11-10, his nerves betraying him momentarily. “I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championships,” he admitted, referencing his tense 4-3 win over Ryan Joyce in December 2024. Wattimena, dubbed “The Machine Gun” for his rapid-fire style, leveled the score at 11-11, capitalizing on Littler’s misses. But the world champion’s composure shone through. On his sixth match dart, Littler nailed his favorite double 10, erupting in celebration as he advanced to the quarterfinals. “The crowd was unbelievable,” he said, crediting the Winter Gardens faithful for fueling his comeback.
Wattimena’s performance was no fluke. Fresh off a 10-8 first-round upset over 2021 champion Peter Wright, he pushed Littler to the brink with a 99.3 average and nine 180s. “I’ve never played bad against him. If you want to win a tournament, you have to beat the best player in the world,” Wattimena said, his confidence evident despite the loss. His aggressive play, including a 138 checkout early in the match, underscored his potential, though his failure to maintain consistency allowed Littler to capitalize.
Littler’s path to the quarterfinals, where he’ll face Andrew Gilding after the latter’s 11-5 rout of Dirk van Duijvenbode, marks a significant step in his quest for the darting “Triple Crown”—the World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay—previously achieved by legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. His first-round 10-2 demolition of Ryan Searle, with a 108.92 average, had already signaled his intent. “I’ve been practicing so much,” Littler revealed, a departure from his reputation for minimal practice outside tournaments. His preparation paid dividends, as he averaged 104 in a prior 10-4 win over Wattimena at the 2025 UK Open.
The night was electric beyond Littler’s heroics, with Josh Rock’s 13-11 upset of three-time champion Michael van Gerwen stealing headlines. Gerwyn Price’s 11-3 thrashing of Chris Dobey, with a record-breaking 108.73 average, further highlighted the tournament’s intensity. For Littler, the comeback was a statement of his growing maturity. “I want to get back on stage,” he said, eyes set on the quarterfinals. As Blackpool’s Winter Gardens braces for more drama, Littler’s epic recovery against Wattimena will be remembered as a defining moment in his meteoric rise.
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