"There was definitely a lot of nonchalance going on" - Wayne Mardle questions Luke Littler's attitude in World Matchplay defeat to Michael van Gerwen

In the most hyped and hotly anticipated of the first round ties at the 2024 World Matchplay, Michael van Gerwen taught Luke Littler a darting lesson on Monday night at the Winter Gardens, prevailing 10-6 against the teenage sensation.

Van Gerwen made sure that he was the one to move through with a 10-6 win averaging 102 with five 180's and a high checkout of 146. Littler averaged 101 but was too inconsistent on MVG's throw and had a lot of slack visits instead of being able to really pressure and couldn't find the pivotal break he needed.

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Wayne Mardle, a former World Matchplay finalist in his own right, was covering Monday night's darting action for Sky Sports and according to Hawaii 501, Littler looked a little unfocused. "Michael started OK, then went off the boil. Luke won the next two legs and was 2-1 up, then Van Gerwen was in a hole. He wasn't playing well. Then it all changed," reflected Mardle post-match to Sky Sports. "I don't know if Littler had as much focus as Michael. There was definitely a lot of nonchalance going on. There was a last dart he wanted, he wanted 74 and threw it at T18 while walking."

"It was all too unfocused, uncaring. Of course he cares..." Mardle continues. "I know he took out the 73 [at 8-6 down], but even that was a single 11, going for a treble and he got away with it."

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Despite Littler's perceived frailties however, Mardle was incredibly impressed by the showing of van Gerwen. "I felt Michael was better more often than Luke," Mardle analyses. "I know the averages were very good because in spells they were leaving doubles after 10 or 11 darts on a frequent basis. There were legs and throws from both that were unconvincing. But for Van Gerwen, it's a wonderful win for him. He's kept Littler down. He's one of his main opponents right now and that's what you have to do."

"This was a big game for him," Mardle continues. "There have been these moments in the past where he's stepped into the role of 'you're going to take over Phil Taylor and this will happen', 'you're going to take over from Raymond van Barneveld, the best Dutch player ever'. Littler will take over at some point. Just not yet."

As such, Mardle now refuses to rule out a 4th World Matchplay title for van Gerwen by the end of the week. "I didn't think Van Gerwen could win the event coming into it. Van Gerwen is a different animal on the big stage. The focus he had, does he have that on the ProTour in Barnsley? He was business-like. It was very good and he celebrated afterwards. That was about giving it one and I believe he can win it," the Englishman concludes.

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Van Gerwen (R) ended Littler's (L) World Matchplay debut at the first hurdle