Littler beats Van Gerwen to win Saudi Masters

Michael van Gerwen defeated Luke Littler 8-5 to win the final of the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters.

Littler, who turns 19 on Wednesday, took control of the match when he fought back to defeat the Dutchman 4-3.

At 4-3 and 5-4 down, Van Gerwen was able to move one leg ahead of Littler, but he was unable to force his way back into the match.

Littler averaged an impressive 104.84, with a much higher checkout rate (61.5%) than Van Gerwen (45.5%).

“It obviously didn’t work out last week in Bahrain, but I’m glad to have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the first time and become the first winner,” Littler told ITV4.

“I had to regain my form because Michael got back into it,” Michael said. “I’m just really happy to win. We didn’t know what to expect as players who came over, but there was a fantastic turnout.

Van Gerwen acknowledged that the Warrington teenager’s quick start made it challenging for him because he averaged 101.79 but threw two 180s to Littler’s six.

The 36-year-old continued, “I always keep fighting,” despite the fact that I was 4-0 down at the beginning of the game.

“Fair play to him] Littler,” he declared. He won a fantastic tournament. Sometimes you have to “take it on the chin” and “move on.”

None of the competitors could produce a nine-darter, but they were given a $200, 000 (£149, 400) bonus.

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has strict no-alcohol laws, hosted the first event of its kind, featuring some of the world’s best players.

The 1, 000-capacity Global Theater in Riyadh hosted the World Series of Darts.

The crowd at the event wasn’t “all there of their own accord,” according to Nathan Aspinall, who was knocked out by Littler in the semi-finals earlier in the day.

Aspinall’s comments “reflect on the fact that this was the first-of-its-kind darts event in the region,” according to a PDC spokesperson who told BBC Sport.

The spokesperson added that all spectators were present as ticket holders or guests and that the atmosphere and crowd size could be different from those at well-known darts competitions like those in the UK and Europe.

The Saudi Arabian Men’s Football World Cup will be held in 2034 after hosting numerous significant sports events in recent years, including Formula 1 and golf.

Quarter-finals

Stephen Bunting defeated Michael van Gerwen 6:0.

Man Lok Leung by Nathan Aspinall 6-4

Luke Littler (4. 6), Gian van Veen (4. 6).

Luke Humphries 6-5 Gerwyn Price

Semi-finals

Nathan Aspinall defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-5.

Gerwyn Price vs. Luke Littler 7-5

Final