Luke Littler is a 'phenomenon' and has presence of Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, says Mark Webster
Sky Sports expert Mark Webster believes that teenage darts prodigy Luke Littler possesses a presence similar to that of legends Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen during their prime.
The 17-year-old took just under 25 minutes to achieve a 16-2 win against Jermaine Wattimena in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts. He showcased his talent with impressive checkouts of 167 and 164, and came very close to scoring a nine-darter in a stunning performance.
Littler aims to claim the most significant title of his career so far as he competes in the semi-finals and finals on Sunday. Webster has praised Littler's current performance, calling it "unstoppable."
Webster went up against Taylor, a 16-time world champion, and Van Gerwen, who has won the title three times, during their peak years in the sport. He feels that Littler can now have a comparable influence on his rivals.
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Webster remarked, "He has to admit that he was simply outmatched by an exceptional player today," when questioned about Wattimena's perspective following the heavy loss.
In the past, we've witnessed Phil Taylor and Michael Van Gerwen dominate their rivals with their intense play.
"Littler truly excelled in that match, and for Jermaine, the best thing he can do is walk away with his head held high and put it behind him. There were moments when Littler was not just throwing exceptional darts, but playing at a level that seemed impossible to compete against."
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I’ve experienced it myself, and there are times when you realize that even scores in the 140s might not cut it.
You're feeling the pressure to make a big impression every time you visit, and it really affected Jermaine. This is the kind of influence Luke has now.
Luke has a commanding aura about him. Just like the way Phil Taylor and Michael Van Gerwen carried themselves before stepping onto the stage, he possesses that same energy now.
"From the very beginning, he picked on him, and Jermaine felt powerless to stop it or handle the situation."
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"He Truly Understands Darts"
If Littler claims victory in the tournament on Sunday, he could climb to the fifth spot in the global rankings, showcasing one of the most remarkable debut years ever in the sport's history.
The young star faced an early elimination from the World Grand Prix last month, but Webster thinks this experience is a valuable lesson for someone who has just spent 11 months on the circuit.
"After his debut match, he gave an interview where he pointed out that there had been an excessive amount of discussion surrounding those early-round eliminations," Webster noted.
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He performed reasonably well, but he was outmatched. It's a common occurrence, and it will likely happen again. No matter how skilled he is, he will face losses in the early rounds of tournaments. The important thing is to move on.
He’s been in his professional career for almost 11 months now, and while he’s still figuring things out, he’s got a lot of potential. He’s quite determined and really grasps the game of darts as a whole; he understands all the intricacies involved.
"He's also a performer, and he showcased his skills in that game."
Littler Vs. Anderson: An Epic Showdown Awaits
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For Littler to take home the Grand Slam of Darts trophy, he must first defeat two-time world champion Gary Anderson in the semi-finals. If he succeeds, he will then go up against either Mickey Mansell or Martin Lukeman in the final later that evening.
However, Webster is focused solely on the inaugural match between Littler and Anderson, who triumphed over Gian van Veen with a score of 16-14 in the other quarter-final that took place on Saturday.
"Who wouldn't be excited about that tie?" he remarked.
Littler is eager to play against Gary. Their styles will complement each other well.
"Even with all 31 legs in play, it won't take much time at all. I'm genuinely excited about this delicious competition."
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I'm really happy that we'll be able to experience it over such an extended format, especially since both sides are coming in strong.
Both teams achieved significant wins in the quarter-finals. While the score differences were notable, each team performed exceptionally well.
How can anyone not be excited about this matchup? It's a rising star facing off against a seasoned veteran, and it promises to be an exhilarating experience.
Experience The Grand Slam Of Darts Live
Sunday, November 17, at 1:00 PM.
The Grand Slam of Darts 2024 wraps up in an exciting finale on Sunday, November 17, featuring a packed schedule of events. The semi-finals are set to kick off at 1 PM, followed by the final match at 7 PM, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
