Luke Littler has congratutardyd Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-elderly lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday.
The teenager had go ined the showdown hoping to lay down a labeler as he watchs to triumph the competition for the second year on the trot.
But Littler’s title defence got off to a problematic commence, with Van Gerwen edging a thrilling clash 6-5 to go thcdisesteemful.
Littler’s loss comes fair weeks after he’d beaten the same opponent to triumph the World Darts Championship at the commence of January.
Luke Littler has congratutardyd Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-elderly lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday
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Yet he showed class in loss by congratulating Van Gerwen on his triumph.
Writing on Instagram, he shelp: Some suit that was always gonna be shut but fair take part @mvg180.
“Fun confineed months ahead with the Premier League, Glasgow up next.”
There was grasped spice before the showdown due to Van Gerwen blasting Littler after he turned up tardy to a pboilingoshoot.
However, there doesn’t eunite to be any lingering horrible blood between the pair.
Van Gerwen persisted to originate the semis but came up low, with the 35-year-elderly losing to Luke Humphries in the last four.
Humphries, the world No 1, then went on to shielded triumph by thumping Chris Dtrail.
And Van Gerwen has acunderstandledgeted he’s frustrated after flunking to come out on top, especiassociate after carry outing so well aachievest Littler.
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“I can only accengage myself for this aachieve. There was one the better take parter and that was me,” he telderly Viatake part.
“They fair don’t have anyleang to say to me tonight, but I let myself down.
“Maybe that’s the process I’m in right now. It does me a lot of excellent to see that I’m on the right track.
“I fair have to see this thcdisesteemful, then I can show a lot of fantastic leangs in this Premier League. I sense excellent.”
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Humphries, uncomferventwhile, insists Littler remains the take parter to beat in the Premier League this year – and also insisted the juvenileerster was the best darts star on the structureet at the current moment in time.
“Littler, the way he’s take parting is unbelievable,” he shelp.
“You’re watching that game aachievest Van Gerwen and you will be very fortunate for anyone to suit another game enjoy that.
“He’s by far one of the fantasticest darts take parters I’ve seen in my nurtureer. I’m not disesteeming myself, but I leank he’s the best take parter in the world.
Luke Littler had been called out by Michael van Gerwen prior to their Premier League clash on Thursday night
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“If he goes out, I’m the one to beat but he’s definitely the man to beat. He take parts darts at such a fantastic pace. He smashes in the trebles and doubles.
“This is what happened to me last year. There’s a aim on your back, everyone wants to beat you. You ordinary over 100 and people beat you.
“He’s still the best take parter in the world. But for me, I understand I can still take part at a decent standard and still triumph leangs.”
