Luke Littler's remarkable run of form came to a stunning halt in Wigan today as Beau Greaves knocked him out of the World Youth Championship semi-finals.
The 18-year-old sensation, who pocketed £120,000 at the World Grand Prix just yesterday, fell 6-5 to the 21-year-old female star at Robin Park Leisure Centre.
It's a crushing blow for Littler, who'd been chasing an extraordinary double triumph after his World Championship title at the beginning of the year. His defeat means he won't get the chance to play the final at Butlin's Minehead on November 23.
And after the match, he took to social media to express his frustrations with the result.
Beau Greaves beat Luke Littler in the World Youth Championships semi-final
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"I had two 10-dart legs, missed [double] 12 for a nine-dart leg and still couldn't win," the world champion said on his Instagram story. "Fair play to Beau Greaves, all the best in Minehead, some talent."
The match was an absolute thriller. Greaves showed incredible fighting spirit, battling back from 4-2 down and then finding herself trailing 5-4 before mounting her comeback.
Both players put on a spectacular show, averaging more than 105, however Littler could do little to stop Greaves, who nailed a brilliant 84 finish to seal her spot in the final.
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Luke Littler took to social media to express his frustration but wish Beau Greaves the best of luck
|It was a last-leg decider that went right down to the wire, with the multiple women's world champion showing nerves of steel when it mattered most.
Littler had arrived in Wigan fresh from demolishing world No1 Luke Humphries in Leicester in Sunday night's World Grand Prix final.
The 18-year-old put on a clinic for viewers, dispatching his biggest rival at the oche 6-1 in utterly dominant fashion after a remarkable week of darts.
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Since turning professional in January, he's bagged seven of the 10 TV majors and filled the trophy cabinet at his family's Warrington home.
His decision to compete at youth level raised eyebrows in some circles, even though he's still eligible having won the title in autumn 2023.
That victory came just weeks before his Ally Pally debut transformed him into a household name.
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Luke Littler secured his seventh major title on Sunday night, beating Luke Humphries 6-1 | GETTYEarlier today, he'd survived a proper scare against Charlie Manby in the last-16, coming back from 5-3 down to win 6-5.
Greaves will face Dutchman Gian van Veen in the final after he beat Poland's Sebastian Bialecki 6-4 in the other semi-final. Van Veen is the defending champion, having won the title last year.
After an impressive week of darts for Luke Littler, today's defeat will come as a huge shock
|PA
The Dutch prodigy lost to Littler in last week's World Grand Prix. Again, the victory came despite both players averaging in excess of 105.
The winner of the Youth Championship will pocket £12,000 when they meet at Butlin's Minehead on the same night as the Players Championship Finals.
For Littler, it's back to the big stage at the European Championship in Dortmund. He might face a hostile reception from German crowds after some tricky moments in Munich and Berlin earlier this year.
Despite today's disappointment, he's still on track to potentially become world No1 in the coming weeks.