Luke Littler declared he “owes one” to world number one Luke Humphries after storming into his first World Grand Prix final with a commanding 5–1 victory over Jonny Clayton in Leicester.
The 18-year-old prodigy continued his remarkable rise in the sport with another dominant display on Saturday night, dismantling Clayton in just over an hour to book a sixth major final meeting with his familiar rival.
Littler, who has faced Humphries in multiple high-stakes encounters this year, admitted he is desperate to finally turn the tables when the pair meet again on Sunday.
“I definitely owe him one for the Premier League,” Littler said after his win.
“Luke’s had a very good record. He’s lost the last two and won one himself.
“But for myself it’s all new pretty much. Same as last year in the Matchplay — I lost the first round and went on to win it.
“Last year here I lost in the first round and now I’m in the final. I look forward to it very much. We’re both one and two so if we did win our games, we were going to meet in the final.
JUST IN: Jude Bellingham sensationally snubbed by Real Madrid as details emerge
Luke Littler declared he “owes one” to world number one Luke Humphries after storming into his first World Grand Prix final with a commanding 5–1 victory over Jonny Clayton in Leicester
|GETTY
“Hopefully I can get the win tomorrow and I’m even more on his back for the No 1 spot.”
Littler set the tone immediately with a dazzling 161 checkout on the bull in the opening set, silencing the packed Mattioli Arena and racing through the early exchanges with trademark precision and composure.
His average of 104 in the second set underlined the gulf between the two players, as Clayton struggled to keep pace with the relentless scoring of the teenage sensation.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Can’t wait to get back on that stage tomorrow🫡 lets do this💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/wlirpSwYuq
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) October 11, 2025
The Welshman briefly rallied with a brilliant 128 finish to claim his first set of the night, but it proved a short-lived reprieve.
Littler responded with a clinical 140 checkout to reassert his dominance and surged into a 3–1 lead. From there, he never looked back.
Clayton’s accuracy on the doubles deserted him as the match wore on, while Littler grew increasingly confident, peppering the treble 20 with ease and controlling the tempo throughout.
By the fifth set, the outcome seemed inevitable.
Littler closed out the match with ruthless efficiency, sealing victory on double five and punching the air as the crowd roared its approval.
The win cements Littler’s place in another major final just months after his World Matchplay triumph, where he defied early setbacks to lift the title in Blackpool.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries' rivalry has captivated the darts world
| PAHis composure on stage and growing mental resilience have become defining traits of his astonishing year on the professional circuit.
Sunday’s final promises another gripping chapter in his developing rivalry with Humphries, who has been the benchmark in world darts over the past two seasons.
The pair’s duels have already provided some of the sport’s most memorable moments, and Littler believes he is now ready to take the next step.
“I’m just enjoying every moment,” he said.
“It’s been an unbelievable year for me, and to be in another final feels amazing.
“Luke’s a fantastic player, but I’ll be ready for him.”