Luke Littler's girlfriend sends message from home after darts star is below-par in Dutch Masters win

Luke Littler's girlfriend sends message from home after darts star is below-par in Dutch Masters win

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler reacts to his nine-darter at the Bahrain Masters

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 26/01/2024

- 21:50

The teenager is through to the quarter-final but was not on top of his game

Luke Littler was far from his best on debut at the Dutch Darts Masters on Friday but still got his campaign off to a winning start.

The 17-year-old beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2 in Den Bosch and his girlfriend Eloise Milburn sent a message immediately after his win.


Littler was looking to build upon his maiden professional title win at the Bahrain Masters last week.

He beat Michael van Gerwen in the final of that event after earlier hitting a nine-darter against Nathan Aspinall.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler's girlfiend Eloise Milburn sent a message after his win at the Dutch Masters

Getty/Instagram

Littler was the sixth game on the opening night in the Netherlands and had already seen Aspinall, Peter Wright and Michael Smith all crash out.

The teenager appeared to be in top form from the off, hitting a 180 with his first visit.

But he didn't really need to get out of second gear against a disappointing Van Duijvenbode.

Littler averaged just 90.85 but it was more than enough to see off his Dutch opponent, who failed to hit a 180 in the match.

He did finish the game in style, hitting a 150 checkout, to secure his spot in Saturday's quarter-final.

Milburn, who watched from home in the UK, had earlier posted a message on her Instagram story before the action started which read: "Nearly go time! Can't wait."

And she was quick to post a message after her boyfriend had secured another win.

Milburn wrote: "Get in there! Starting the weekend off with a win. Time to smash it up tomorrow night, proud of you."

Littler will play world No 1 Luke Humphries in the quarter-final after he beat Jermaine Wattimena 6-0 in the first round.

Humphries beat Littler in the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace earlier this month.

The pair are already set to meet next week on the opening night of the Premier League in Cardiff.

Littler has already begun the mind games ahead of Thursday's clash, insisting the pressure is on the reigning world champion.

"[Humphries] has been unbelievable," Littler said. "That is why he has won a world title and why he went on a 20-game winning streak.

"So now he's the man to beat - and all the focus will be coming on to him.

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Eloise Milburn Instagram

Eloise Milburn wished Luke Littler luck for the weekend after his first-round win

Instagram

"Hopefully the World Championship won't be the last time we meet in a major final - and if it is me and Luke in every final, that would still be good.

"But you still have all those dangerous players out there - Michael Smith, Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) and Michael van Gerwen - and it's going to be gruelling.

"Everyone who has won a Tour card can beat you - you win a Tour card because you are one of the best."

Meanwhile, Humphries warned Littler that, despite his rise to the top, there is too much competition for him to dominate darts.

Humphries said: "We're in an era where not one player is dominating the sport anymore.

Luke Littler

Luke Littler was not at his best as he won at the Dutch Masters

Getty

"If Luke gets better than he already is then it could be a possibility but he's going to face a lot of great players this year.

"He's not faced everyone, he's only faced six players so far. You've got Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall and Peter Wright.

"All these players are tough competitors but if he keeps getting better then he could dominate the sport for sure but it's up to me to get even better and not allow that to happen."

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