LUKE LITTLER admitted he “fell asleep” before setting up another blockbuster clash with Michael van Gerwen.
The 18-year-old ground out a 6-4 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh in his Dutch Masters opener in Den Bosch.
However, the teen sensation needed to hit three 180s in the last two legs to get over the line after a mid-match slump.
On going up a gear, he admitted: “I had to. Dimitri was behind me all the way. But two-nil up, fell asleep and I had to find other gears.
“The World Series is a massive thing. You go to all these different countries. But I would say it’s match practice for the Premier League.”
Littler now faces Van Gerwen in the quarters, a repeat of their World Final clash at the Ally Pally three weeks ago.
He added: “Obviously I’d like to get another win and progress to the semi-final.
“I think Michael might be thinking he wants revenge, especially in his backyard.
“It would be a good thing to beat him in his backyard. Like I said, win that game and guarantee myself a place in the semi-final.”
Van den Bergh surprisingly dumped his classic Happy walk-on song and dance for the occasion. It was replaced by Play Hard by David Guetta.
Littler is now the clear favourite to win the competition following World No.1 Luke Humphries‘ shock elimination.
Humphries was stunningly sent packing by Jermaine Wattimena, who won their first round clash 6-3.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Luke Littler reacts to being introduced as world champion for first time” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367192686112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Teenage sensation Littler celebrated his 18th birthday earlier this week.
But there was no trip to the pub for the 2024 Young SPOTY winner.
Littler, instead, spent the big day playing video games online with his pals.
He said of his big day earlier this month: “I haven’t got anything planned really because there is a lot of darts around this time.
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“But I gave myself the best early birthday present by winning the Worlds.
“My first year has been difficult.
“At the start of the year with the Premier League and travelling to the European Tours, I have been travelling up and down the country.
“‘It’s at the start of the year when the crazy schedule is.”