Luke Littler’s impressive performance against Darius Labanauskas at the 2025-26 PDC World Championship has garnered praise. Littler, aged 18, secured a 3-0 victory on the tournament’s opening night at Alexandra Palace amidst a lively atmosphere.
Despite his win, the reigning champion faced a tough challenge. Labanauskas, ranked 95th globally, started strong by hitting a 130 checkout on the bull in the first leg. The Lithuanian pushed both of the initial two sets to deciding legs before Littler managed to defeat him, setting up a second-round match against either David Davies from Wales or Mario Vandenbogaerde from Belgium.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler expressed satisfaction, acknowledging the initial nerves and the importance of winning key legs and sets in settling his game. He emphasized the difficulty of the first-round matches and the necessity of maintaining a high level of play to succeed in the competition.
Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster commended Littler’s performance, noting the challenges faced and the resilience shown during the match. Despite Labanauskas providing a tough test, Littler demonstrated composure and skill to secure the win.
As Littler now enjoys a brief break, the young talent, who previously lifted the Sid Waddell Trophy, aims to defend his title in the upcoming final next month. Fans are invited to share their predictions on whether Littler will retain his crown in the comments section.
In other matches on the opening night, 2023 champion Michael Smith defeated Women’s World Matchplay winner Lisa Ashton 3-0. Smith admitted to facing nerve-wracking moments in the first set but managed to settle into the game and secure the victory.
The first round of the championship will continue for another week, culminating in the final scheduled for Saturday, January 3, 2026. Fans can catch every match live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle as the PDC World Darts Championship kicks off on December 11.