Luke Littler's run to World Darts Championship final

There was great excitement about the newly-crowned world youth champion from Warrington ahead of his World Championship debut, but his run to the final has catapulted him into wider stardom.

As he prepares to take on Luke Humphries in tonight’s final, let’s refresh our memories as to how the former Padgate Academy pupil got there…

First round – Beat Christian Kist 3-0

Having earned his place by winning the World Youth Championship in November, Littler’s record-breaking started in his first-round match.

The teenage debutant destroyed Christian Kist in straight sets, averaging a mammoth 106.12, which is the highest ever by a player on debut at the World Championship.

Littler burst onto the World Championship scene by thrashing Christian Kist (Image: PA Wire)

Second round – beat Andrew Gilding 3-1

The UK Open champion ought to have provided a sterner test but he was also brushed aside to ensure ‘The Nuke’ returned to the Alexandra Palace after Christmas.

His numbers were not as good as his opening-round win, but he became the youngest player to ever reach the third round of the World Championship with another assured display.

Littler takes a bow after beating UK Open champion Andrew Gilding (Image: PA Wire)

Third round – beat Matt Campbell 4-1

The hype was growing around Littler as he resumed his campaign two days after Christmas and the gifts kept on coming as he sent the Canadian packing.

It was a mammoth 164 checkout and an impressive doubles percentage that saw him over the line to keep the dream – and the media hype – alive.

Matt Campbell can only stand and applaud having been beaten by Littler in the third round (Image: PA Wire)

Last 16 – beat Raymond van Barneveld 4-1

Littler used to imitate Van Barneveld as a three-year-old so to get the chance to play him on the Alexandra Palace stage was a dream come true.

And it was the 16-year-old that played like a five-time world champion as the apprentice demolished the master.

He averaged a superb 105.01 and threw nine 180s to prove his credentials as a genuine contender.

Littler beat one of his idols in Raymond Van Barneveld in the last 16 (Image: PA Wire)

Quarter-final – beat Brendan Dolan 5-1

The Littler juggernaut showed no signs of stopping as he demolished Dolan with a superb display.

Dolan had ousted former world champions Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson on the way to the last eight but he could not cope with Littler’s heavy scoring and mature matchplay as he again averaged over 100.

Brendan Dolan had no answer to Littler in the quarters (Image: PA Wire)

Semi-final – beat Rob Cross 6-2

The teenager saved his best for the biggest occasion as he put in a masterful performance to beat 2018 champion Cross – the last man to win on debut.

He lost the first set to trail for the first time in the tournament but soon showed he is the player for the big occasion, winning with a 106.05 average and 16 180s to keep the dream alive.