In a stunning display of darts prowess, Littler unleashed his best performance at the Antwerp Expo, averaging an impressive 111.13 in a dominating 6-1 victory over Jermaine Wattimena. The young talent, who was a runner-up at the recent German Darts Championship, continued his fine form in Belgium, reeling off legs of 14, 14, 16, 12, 15, and 13 darts to dismantle Wattimena, who himself averaged 101 in the match.
“I knew I played well and I had to, because Jermaine threw everything at me,” Littler stated, reflecting on his performance. He sealed the deal with a breathtaking tops-tops 105 finish in the penultimate leg, showcasing his composure under pressure. “I couldn’t afford to step off the gas because Jermaine was right behind me every time, but I took my chances. I love playing in Belgium. The crowds are amazing here and they just love their darts.”
In Saturday’s second round, world number one Luke Humphries made a triumphant return to European Tour action, defeating Ritchie Edhouse 6-3 with a ton-topping average. “It was a fantastic game, and I had to dig deep to get the job done,” admitted Humphries. “I knew I had a tough game on my hands, and Ritchie played really well there, but it was a solid performance. I’m looking forward to tomorrow now, and if I can get through that first game, that’s when I become dangerous.”
The action-packed day also saw Peter Wright maintain his bid for back-to-back European Tour titles with a 6-2 victory over Martin Schindler, while Stephen Bunting impressed with a 104 average in his win over Scott Williams. Luke Woodhouse secured a crucial victory over Gerwyn Price, and Ryan Searle delivered a masterclass in ton-plus finishing to overcome Joe Cullen.
The afternoon’s matches provided plenty of drama, with Dave Chisnall, Josh Rock, and Dirk van Duijvenbode among the winners. Ryan Joyce ended his European Tour losing streak with a deciding-leg win, while Chris Dobey produced a stunning 158 checkout in his 6-2 triumph.
As the tournament progresses, the competition becomes more intense. The Flanders Darts Trophy promises more thrilling matches in the third round, before culminating in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final in a bumper evening session at the Antwerp Expo. Darts enthusiasts can catch all the live action through various streaming platforms, ensuring an exciting viewing experience for fans worldwide.
