Luke Littler’s performance against Darius Labanauskas in the first round of the 2025-26 PDC World Championship has earned him accolades. The 18-year-old emerged victorious with a 3-0 win at the lively Alexandra Palace.
Despite being the reigning champion, Littler faced a tough challenge from Labanauskas, the 95th-ranked player in the world, who started strongly with a 130 checkout on the bull in the first leg. The match saw both players taking the first two sets to deciding legs before Littler eventually secured the win against Labanauskas, a former World Championship quarter-finalist.
Reflecting on his performance, Littler expressed his satisfaction with the victory, acknowledging the nerves he felt during the match but crediting the pivotal first set for settling him down. He emphasized the difficulty of the first-round matches in the tournament, regardless of the opponent, and highlighted the importance of playing well to secure a win.
Commenting on Littler’s performance, Sky pundit Mark Webster commended the young player’s honesty and resilience. Despite facing a strong challenge from Labanauskas, Littler managed to maintain his composure and secure the victory, showcasing his determination and skill on the dartboard.
With the first round completed, Littler now has a 10-day break before aiming to defend his Sid Waddell Trophy in the upcoming final next month. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether Littler will retain his crown and are invited to share their predictions in the comments section.
In other matches on the opening night, Michael Smith, the 2023 champion, defeated Women’s World Matchplay winner Lisa Ashton 3-0. Smith admitted to feeling nervous in the first set but found his rhythm after securing a crucial win, ultimately triumphing over his opponent.
The first round of the championship will continue for another week, culminating on Friday, with the final scheduled for Saturday, January 3. Fans can catch all the action exclusively live on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle starting from December 11.