Luke Littler threw his first nine-darter of the year at the Players Championship 5 in Leicester, but fell in the semi-finals as Joe Cullen emerged victorious.
Littler summoned all of his quality as he landed the nine in the sixth leg of his second-round win over Adam Hunt, one of three consecutive 6-5 victories for the world champion.
‘The Nuke’ looked to have peaked when he slipped into a 4-0 deficit against Dirk van Duijvenbode but he roared back to form as he forced a decider and finished with 126 on the bullseye.
He maintained a remarkable 122.96 average as he destroyed Damon Heta to reach the final four but was finally beaten by Gian van Veen in a tense 7-6 finish – ending his winning streak at 19 games.
THE BEST OF THE LOT FROM LITTLER!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 11, 2025
Can anyone stop Luke Littler right now?!
The 18-year old continues his freakish form, as he averages 122.96 on his way to a 6-1 victory over Damon Heta. That victory takes Littler's win streak up to 19 wins!
https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8#PC5 pic.twitter.com/ao7KHz8HOJ
Cullen was good value for his run to the final, getting the better of world number one Luke Humphries 6-4 along the way.
He struggled to keep pace with Van Veen in the early running, going 7-4 down, but showed nerves of steel as he survived six match darts on his way to an 8-7 triumph.
“I think this is the best win of my career, because of the adversity I have had to endure over the last year,” said Cullen.
“When you’re slipping down the rankings and you’re doubting yourself, there is nothing worse in darts. I think I’m down to number 22 in the world. There’s not 21 players that are better than me in the world, but the rankings don’t lie.”
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