Luke Littler beaten by Nathan Aspinall despite hammering Michael Van Gerwen in Premier League Darts
LUKE LITTLER just missed out on a stunning nine-darter as he crushed Michael van Gerwen 6-2 with a devastating Premier League performance.
But the Nuke suffered his first defeat to Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals in Nottingham in dramatic fashion.
Luke Littler came THIS close to hitting a nine-darter against Michael van Gerwen
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) March 14, 2024pic.twitter.com/idgxY1UZ6N
Nathan Aspinall KNOCKS OUT Luke Littler in Nottingham to set up final with Luke Humphries
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) March 14, 2024pic.twitter.com/zUfb77DaLt
Littler came into the quarter-final clash off the back of his on-stage bust-up, a nine-darter and winning on his European Tour debut.
The Nuke took the opening leg versus Van Gerwen against the throw, with an early 180 and then just missed out on a whopping 167 checkout.
Van Gerwen hit straight back, though, to level it up but Littler broke again after a shocking error from MVG.
The Dutchman then missed tops for 2-2 – but made the most of Littler missing three darts at double eight.
Incredibly, Littler then took a 3-2 lead as Van Gerwen remained unable to hold his throw.
Van Gerwen came within a whisker of checking out 170 – but Littler eventually sealed the first hold to lead 4-2 then checked out 56.
He then threw eight perfect darts at 5-2… but missed the double 12 to fall agonisingly short of the incredible nine-darter to dump MVG out.
It is the first time Van Gerwen has lost three Premier League quarter-finals in a row – despite averaging 111, three short of his opponent.
Littler hit an incredible eight 180s in the match in just eight legs.
CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL
Hilariously, Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle bumped into Littler behind the scenes in Nottingham immediately after the emphatic victory over Van Gerwen.
And Mardle joked: “Absolutely pathetic!”
“Absolutely pathetic”
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 14, 2024pic.twitter.com/Ktrg6XzOfl
The pair both broke into laughter before shaking hands as they headed in opposite directions.
But Littler could not replicate that red-hot form against close pal Aspinall in the final four.
The Asp raced into a 5-2 lead before comical scenes in the eighth leg – with neither man able to claim it.
The Stockport star missed a series of match darts while Littler went bust needing five.
Aspinall 6-3 lost to Luke Humphries in the final after the world No1 defeated Michael Smith and Peter Wright.
