Luke Littler’s performance against Darius Labanauskas in the initial round of the 2025-26 PDC World Championship has garnered acclaim. The 18-year-old emerged victorious with a 3-0 win at a lively Alexandra Palace on the tournament’s opening night.
Despite his triumph, the reigning champion faced a tough challenge. Labanauskas, ranked 95th globally, started strong with a 130 checkout on the bull in the first leg of the match.
Labanauskas pushed Littler to deciding legs in the first two sets before Littler managed to secure the victory. Littler, a former World Championship quarter-finalist, is now set to face either David Davies from Wales or Mario Vandenbogaerde from Belgium in the next round.
Reflecting on his win, Littler shared, “It was a challenging match, but I’m pleased with the outcome. Getting that first set was crucial, especially playing against the darts. Winning a leg and a set helped calm my nerves.”
Sky Sports pundit Mark Webster commended Littler’s honesty, noting the difficulty faced in the opening round. Littler now has a 10-day break before aiming to defend his Sid Waddell Trophy in the upcoming final.
The PDC World Darts Championship kicked off on December 11, with matches available exclusively live on Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle. The first-round matches will continue throughout the week, culminating in the final on Saturday, January 3.