Luke Humphries produced a breathtaking display to deny teenage sensation Luke Littler 7-4 and be crowned the 2023\/24 Paddy Power World Darts Champion on a sensational night at Alexandra Palace.<\/p>\n
Humphries reeled off five consecutive sets from 4-2 down to topple 16-year-old Littler in an all-time classic, averaging 103 and crashing in 23 maximums to fulfil his darting destiny in the capital.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old opened up early 1-0 and 2-1 leads, but Littler \u2013 roared on by a capacity crowd \u2013 responded with a sequence of three straight sets as he threatened to produce the unthinkable.<\/p>\n
However, an unflappable Humphries underlined his status as the new world number one with a mesmerising five-set burst to become the 12th player to be crowned PDC World Darts Champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly cannot put into words how great this feels,\u201d admitted Humphries, who has now won four of the last five Premier televised events since October.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really proud of my performance. I had to win this one tonight, because Luke [Littler] is going to win plenty, I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is an incredible talent. Even when I was on the brink of winning there, he was relentless.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat seventh set was a massive turning point. If I\u2019m 5-2 down it becomes a real uphill task, but to reel off those last five sets was just incredible.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hand was shaking like mad going for that double eight, but fortunately it just fell in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Humphries\u2019 Alexandra Palace success caps a remarkable journey for a man who feared for his future in the sport a few years ago, after opening up on his battle with anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a time in my life where I was really depressed, and I thought that was going to be it for me,\u201d added the former World Youth Champion.<\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t do it up on the big stage and I went through a lot of problems, so to go on to become World Champion and world number one \u2013 it makes it even more special for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to thank my family. They are the people that make me who I am, and as much as I\u2019ve gone up there and won it, without them, I wouldn\u2019t have this trophy right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Littler was unable to cap off a fairy-tale campaign with a historic victory at Alexandra Palace, but he revealed his pride at what he\u2019s achieved during the last three weeks.<\/p>\n
The 16-year-old has created global headlines with his record-breaking exploits, and he\u2019s determined to build upon his success when he joins the professional circuit in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been unbelievable,\u201d reflected Littler, who defeated former World Champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross on his way to claiming the \u00a3200,000 runner-up prize.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery game has been great. I lost too many legs on my own throw tonight, and I\u2019m disappointed I missed those three darts to keep the game going, because that\u2019s what the crowd wanted.<\/p>\n
\u201cFair play to Luke, he deserves that title. I\u2019m into the world\u2019s top 32, runner-up on my debut. It\u2019s been an unbelievable tournament, and now I just want to go on and win it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Humphries punished an edgy start from Littler to open his account in a quick-fire opening set, but the 16-year-old found his range in some style, converting back-to-back 142 and 120 finishes to level the tie.<\/p>\n
The pair traded the next two sets as the topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued, before Littler wrapped up set five with a brilliant 11-darter to move into the lead for the first time.<\/p>\n
The World Youth Champion was riding the crest of a wave as he stormed to set six without reply, producing a trio of 15-dart legs to establish a 4-2 cushion and make it nine legs from the last 11.<\/p>\n
The turning point came in an extraordinary seventh set, as Humphries followed up a spectacular 170 checkout with a 13-darter to reduce the arrears, after Littler wired a dart at double two for a 5-2 lead.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old continued his revival to restore parity with a 114.17 average in set eight, before backing up consecutive 108 checkouts with a majestic 11-darter to regain the lead.<\/p>\n
Littler conjured up a 170 outshot of his own in set ten, although Humphries refused to relent, reeling off legs of 14 and 12 darts to move to within a set of World Championship glory.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, following a run of four consecutive holds in set 11, Littler missed three darts at double to cut the gap to 6-5, and Humphries stepped in with a 14-darter via double eight to seal the World Championship title.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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