LUKE LITTLER began his £1million World Darts Championship quest last night with his 14th consecutive senior victory.
The Nuke – who won the PDC world crown in January aged 18 – returned to Ally Pally and eliminated retired Lithuanian potter Darius Labanauskas 3-0 from round one.
Littler is unbeaten in the pro ranks since the end of October, during which time he has lifted the Grand Slam of Darts and Players Championship Finals.
This was his seventh win in a row at the North London Palace and underlined his status as the world No.1.
After nailing the first set on a 76 finish, he did the same hands-out celebration that Champions League-winning striker Didier Drogba did whenever he scored in Chelsea colours.
It was his attempt of telling himself and his family, including girlfriend Faith, to calm down and relax given the stress of his return.
Littler, who has won 52 of his last 55 matches in a TV ranking tournament, hit superb back-to-back 124 and 120 checkouts to wrap up set three and averaged 101.54.
The Warrington lad, who turns 19 next month, will now face either Belgian Mario Vandenbogaerde or Welsh qualifier David Davies in round two on Sunday December 21.
The recipient of the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3, 2026, will earn the record seven-figure sum.
The last time a reigning world darts champion lost on the opening night of the PDC World Darts Championship was Canadian John Part 17 years ago.
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Injury-hit Michael Smith came through pain-killing injections to inflict pain on Lisa Ashton with a 3-0 win.
Bully Boy, 35, has got crippling arthritis issues and needed relief jabs in his ankle joints and wrists before his appearance on the opening night.
Yet he managed to stumble over the line in round one, avoiding an early scare against the Lancashire Rose, as he dropped just three legs.
Smith was eying a nine-darter in leg one of the second set and got distracted when he thought about the possible £60,000 bonus from sponsors Paddy Power.
The St Helens thrower said: “I didn’t want to lose that first set and come back out thinking the crowd are going to be louder and louder and louder. So, I was trying to force things.
“Then that second set when I kicked off 180, 180 and I was like I’ve got £60,000 here but then I ended up missing.
“I had to keep focused and I nearly messed up again. Not a great game but I’ll take it.
“Now, I’ve got 10 days off, solid practice now. The butterflies were bad this morning.”
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LUK OUT!
