Luke Littler’s performance against Darius Labanauskas in the first round of the 2025-26 PDC World Championship has garnered praise. Littler, aged 18, secured a 3-0 victory on the lively opening night at Alexandra Palace.
Despite his win, the reigning champion faced a tough challenge. Labanauskas, ranked 95th globally, started strongly with a 130 checkout on the bull in the first leg. The Lithuanian pushed both sets to deciding legs before Littler managed to defeat him, setting up a second-round encounter with either David Davies from Wales or Mario Vandenbogaerde from Belgium.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler expressed satisfaction, acknowledging the initial nerves but highlighting the importance of winning key sets. He emphasized the difficulty of the first round in the tournament and the necessity of playing well to secure a win.
Renowned Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster commended Littler’s honesty and resilience, noting the challenging nature of the opening set. Despite Labanauskas putting up a strong performance, Littler demonstrated his skill and composure to emerge victorious.
Following his win, Littler now has a 10-day break. The young talent, who clinched the Sid Waddell Trophy in January, is determined to defend his title in the upcoming final.
As the first round progresses, with the finale set for next Friday, fans eagerly anticipate the 2025-26 championship’s culmination on January 3. The PDC World Darts Championship kicks off on December 11, with exclusive live coverage available through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.
