Luke Littler has insisted he is not about to change the way he approaches the game after being criticised for his behaviour on the eve of his second World Darts Championship final. Littler cruised into the final at Alexandra Palace by brushing aside Stephen Bunting by a 6-1 score line on Thursday night. The 17-year-old out-classed his opponent, dominating from start to finish to book an exciting showdown with Michael van Gerwen on Friday.
He averaged 105 over the seven sets against Bunting to ensure his tournament average stayed above 100 from his five matches. And while he swept aside his opponent with relative ease, the atmosphere at the oche was too friendly for the tastes of the Sky Sports commentators. Littler and Bunting fist-bumped after every set, while Bunting celebrated after his younger opponent landed a 170 check-out in the final set.
The two players are friends and played their match in a good-natured manner – something three-time champion Van Gerwen is unlikely to continue in the final. “It’s a very friendly game of darts,” Sky commentator Dan Dawson said. “There’s fist bumps and thumbs up and all sorts going on.
But there is some brutality as well.” Co-commentator Mark Webster added: “They’re fist-bumping a bit too much. It’s the semi-final of the World Championship! There’s a lot of respect up there.
Maybe I’m just being a bit harsh.” In typical Littler fashion, he is fully focused on performing and is not remotely bothered by such cr.
