Luke Littler’s performance against Darius Labanauskas in the initial round of the 2025-26 PDC World Championship has garnered praise. The 18-year-old emerged victorious with a 3-0 win on the lively opening night at Alexandra Palace.
Despite the win, the reigning champion faced a tough challenge. Labanauskas, ranked 95th globally, impressed by securing the first leg with a 130 checkout on the bull.
Labanauskas pushed Littler to deciding legs in the first two sets. Littler eventually triumphed over Labanauskas, a former World Championship quarter-finalist, setting up a second-round encounter with either David Davies from Wales or Mario Vandenbogaerde from Belgium.
Reflecting on his victory, Littler expressed, “It wasn’t easy, but I’m pleased with the outcome.” He acknowledged the nerve-wracking moments and highlighted the significance of winning the first set in a match where every player aims to advance beyond the first round.
Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster commended Littler’s performance, recognizing the challenges faced in the opening round. Littler’s ability to maintain composure and find success even with less than optimal performance was noted.
Following his win, Littler now has a 10-day break before aiming to defend his title at next month’s final, aspiring to retain the prestigious Sid Waddell Trophy.
As the tournament progresses, fans are invited to share their predictions on whether Luke Littler will successfully defend his crown in the comments section.
In other matches on the opening night, 2023 champion Michael Smith secured a 3-0 victory over Women’s World Matchplay winner Lisa Ashton. Smith acknowledged the nerve-inducing start but expressed relief at settling into the game and clinching the win.
The first round of the championship will continue for another week, culminating on Friday. The 2025-26 final is scheduled for January 3, promising an intense and thrilling conclusion to the competition.
Darts enthusiasts can catch all the action of the PDC World Darts Championship starting December 11, exclusively live on Sky with the Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.