World champion Luke Littler is set to take on world number one Luke Humphries in the World Grand Prix final on Sunday. The English duo secured their spots in the final after defeating Jonny Clayton and Danny Noppert in the semi-finals held in Leicester.
Littler, who is just 18 years old, had an impressive 5-1 victory over Clayton, hitting a total of 10 180s during the match. On the other hand, Humphries faced a tough challenge from 2022 UK Open champion Noppert but managed to come out on top with a 5-3 win, earning him a place in his third consecutive Grand Prix final.
In a thrilling match against Clayton, Littler showcased his skills with a remarkable 161 checkout in the second game, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Despite Clayton winning the second set, Littler’s 140 checkout in the fourth set helped him regain momentum and eventually secure his spot in the final. With an average of 97.26, Littler closed out the match with a 13-dart leg, setting the stage for a sixth final showdown between himself and Humphries. Littler expressed his determination to win against his 30-year-old rival, stating, “I owe him one for the Premier League final defeat. Last year I lost in the first round, but now I am in the final. We are ranked one and two in the world, and hopefully I can get the win on Sunday and be on his back for that world number one spot.”
Humphries, on the other hand, dominated the early stages of his match against Noppert, taking a three-set lead. However, Noppert fought back and managed to win three of the next four sets. It was Humphries’ impressive 135 checkout in the eighth set that ultimately broke his opponent’s throw and secured his victory. With a total of 14 maximums throughout the match, Humphries reflected on his performance, stating, “I felt tired and it was a struggle. I know a lot of people think my mentality at times is not great, but I can bounce back from it. I knew I was going to be in a battle, and I’m proud of my resilience.” Fans can follow live coverage of the final on the BBC Sport website and app from 20:00 BST on Sunday.
