Luke Littler swept aside Luke Humphries to win a first World Grand Prix title in Leicester, triumphing 6-1 in the final.
Humphries had looked impressive en route to the final, but Littler was superb in clutch moments, winning each of the first four sets from 2-2 in deciding legs. The 18-year-old came close to a rare nine-dart finish in the third set but missed his final dart at bullseye.
Humphries rallied with a 154 checkout to take the fifth set, but Littler dominated the final two sets to seal victory. “Very happy to tick it off,” said Littler, who will play in the World Youth Championship on Monday. “It’s not the easiest tournament to win. This week has been so tough, but now I’ve picked the trophy up it’s one I can tick off.”
Littler credited his precision under pressure: “That’s what I’ve learned from the past in the matchplay. I’ve got to perform the big out shots, the big scores when Luke does put me under pressure.” Humphries admitted disappointment: “He’s so clinical… It’s hard to take, it’s disappointing because I felt like I was going to give him a lot better game than I did. Fair play to him, he was really good.”
