Luke Humphries produced a sensational display to deny teenage sensation Luke Littler and celebrate Paddy Power World Darts Championship glory in a sensational contest at Alexandra Palace
2023/24 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Wednesday January 3
Final
Luke Humphries 7-4 Luke Littler
Set-by-Set Report
Set One (Littler 1-3 Humphries)
Luke Littler drew first blood with a 16-dart hold in the opening leg, but after that, it was all Luke Humphries in set one.
The Berkshire-born superstar reeled off three consecutive legs in 13, 17 and 14 darts to open his account with a set average of 99.
Set Two (Littler 3-2 Humphries)
Littler levelled in sensational style! Humphries kicked off set two with legs of 11 and 14 darts to make it five legs without reply, but the teenager responded superbly.
After surviving a set dart from Humphries in leg three, Littler followed up a 13-darter with consecutive 142 and 120 checkouts to restore parity and raise the roof at Alexandra Palace.
Set Three (Littler 2-3 Humphries)
This time it was Luke Humphries’ turn to recover from 2-0 down in the set to turn it around, despite Littler having taken control of set three by following up a clinical 80 kill with a 13-dart break.
However, the teenager paid the price for squandering two set darts in leg three, as Humphries landed a classy 116 checkout before crashing in a 14-dart break to win a third-set decider.
Set Four (Littler 3-1 Humphries)
Littler levelled once again! Humphries momentarily lost his range on the treble 20 and Littler duly capitalised, kicking off the set with a 15-dart break of throw.
Humphries stayed alive with a 73-set saver in leg three, but another 15-darter from Littler helped him to wrap up set four.
Set Five (Littler 3-1 Humphries)
Luke Littler moved into the lead for the first time in sets!
The pair traded 13 and 12-dart holds in a high-quality start to set five, but after Humphries spurned two darts at tops to break, Littler pinned double eight before firing in a brilliant 11-darter to make it 3-2!
Set Six (Littler 3-0 Humphries)
Luke Littler maintained his charge to make it three sets on the spin. The World Youth Champion wrapped up set six without reply, as he extended his winning run to nine of the last 11 legs.
The Warrington youngster produced a trio of 15-dart legs to establish a two-set buffer, defying six perfect darts from Humphries in the second leg of the set.
Set Seven (Littler 2-3 Humphries)
Humphries halted Littler’s rampant run in an extraordinary seventh set to reduce the arrears to 3-4, but only after Littler missed one dart for a 5-2 cushion.
Humphries began the set with a magnificent 170 checkout, although Littler responded with a brace of 12-darters to keep the set alive, converting 84 and 122 finishes under the most intense pressure.
However, the world number one powered in his 15th 180 to leave 28 after 12 darts, and after Littler missed double two for an unorthodox 112 clincher, Humphries rounded off a 13-darter to stay in touch.
Set Eight (Littler 1-3 Humphries)
Humphries turned on the style in set eight to level the contest at four apiece, averaging 114.17 in a blistering four-leg spell.
The 28-year-old followed up legs of 14 and 11 darts with a delightful 121 outshot on the bull to clinch the set, as the astronomical standard continues.
Set Nine (Littler 2-3 Humphries)
Humphries’ blistering barrage continued as he averaged 109 in set nine to regain the lead for the first time since set three.
The world number three seized the initiative with consecutive 108 checkouts, only to spurn three set darts in a dramatic fourth leg.
Littler levelled with a nerveless two-dart 71 combination, only for Humphries to conjure up a majestic 11-darter via double nine to move 5-4 in front.
Set Ten (Littler 1-3 Humphries)
Humphries defied a set average of 108 from Littler to move to the cusp of World Championship glory!
After missing the bull for a 164 checkout in the opening leg, Littler landed a sublime 170 finish of his own in leg two, only for Humphries to reply with legs of 14 and 12 darts to make it four sets on the spin.
Set 11 (Littler 2-3 Humphries)
LUKE HUMPHRIES IS THE WORLD DARTS CHAMPION!
Following a run of four consecutive holds in set 11, Humphries punishes three missed set darts from Littler to fulfil his darting destiny with a brilliant 14-dart hold.
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