Luke Littler jokingly said Premier League Darts needs another Scottish player “to bring up the atmosphere” after reacting to a “flat” Aberdeen crowd following his Night 13 victory.
The world champion came from behind to beat Luke Humphries 6-5 in the final, but endured the boos and jeers that have often greeted him during this year’s Premier League campaign. A relaxed Littler was all smiles after the win, which moved him back to the top of the table, leapfrogging Johnny Clayton with three Premier League nights to go before the final on May 28 at the O2.
“I was definitely relaxed tonight,” Littler said. “Obviously the crowd was a bit flat tonight. I think all the players said that. But, another win, and I’ll take it as it comes. I think I said maybe last week or the week before Rotterdam was the loudest crowd I’ve ever played in front of and I got past it. Won a few games, lost in the final. Now we can just focus on the O2.”
In his immediate post-victory interview he added with a laugh: “The crowd were okay tonight, but definitely not the loudest. I think we need another Scottish player in the Premier League to bring the atmosphere up a little bit!”
Littler’s win was the latest sign of his strong form, marking his third final in as many weeks. He praised Humphries, who had returned to form with important wins over Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen before falling to Littler. “[Luke Humphries] needed that one tonight. Even the win against Michael was really crucial for him. He’s slowed his throw down just that little bit, and yeah, it was flowing. His worst leg was the last leg. I just took full advantage. Hopefully he can back it up in Leeds and hopefully he can win in his home ground.”
Sky Sports Darts pundit Wayne Mardle praised Littler’s handling of pressure. “Before the Premier League started, Littler had four wins in year one, six in year two, and surely it was going to be seven, eight, nine here, but then it kind of stalled for a little bit. But the way he’s dealt with it the last two weeks — that final was not a coast, it was a hard game. He gets through all the pressurised moments better than anyone else. That’s the difference. No one handles stressful situations on a dartboard better than Luke Littler right now. That’s why he wins.”
Mardle added that Humphries had missed a key opportunity: “When you are 5-3 up in the final, that’s a missed opportunity for Humphries.” He noted Humphries had broken Littler in 10 darts but failed to capitalise afterwards due to Littler’s brilliance, leaving Humphries with three welcome points but a bitterly disappointing night in terms of his Play-Off hopes.
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