Luke Littler’s performance in the opening round of the 2025-26 PDC World Championship against Darius Labanauskas has garnered praise. Despite facing a tough challenge, the 18-year-old emerged victorious with a 3-0 win at Alexandra Palace.
Labanauskas, ranked 95th globally, put up a strong fight by clinching the first leg with a 130 checkout on the bull. The match saw both players taking the first two sets to deciding legs before Littler eventually secured the win. This victory sets up a second-round clash for Littler against either David Davies from Wales or Mario Vandenbogaerde from Belgium.
Reflecting on his performance, Littler expressed satisfaction with the hard-fought victory, acknowledging the nerves he felt during the game. He emphasized the importance of winning sets to calm his nerves and highlighted the challenging nature of the first-round matches in the tournament.
Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster commended Littler’s honesty and resilience, noting the intensity of the match. Despite the tough competition from Labanauskas, Littler showcased his skill and determination, ultimately emerging victorious.
Following his win, Littler now has a 10-day break before aiming to defend his title at the upcoming final next month. Fans are eagerly anticipating whether Littler will retain his crown in the tournament.
In other matches on the opening night, former champion Michael Smith defeated Women’s World Matchplay winner Lisa Ashton 3-0. Smith admitted to facing nerves in the initial set but managed to settle into the game and secure the win.
The first round of the championship will continue for another week until concluding next Friday, leading up to the final scheduled for Saturday, January 3. Fans can catch all the action of the PDC World Darts Championship starting from December 11 exclusively on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.