"Two more opportunities": Luke Littler hunting down elusive World Series success after World Matchplay confidence booster

Luke Littler, the reigning world champion, is in the spotlight Friday night in the opening round of the Australian Darts Masters, the sixth tournament of the 2025 World Series of Darts. The 18-year-old darts phenom will meet New Zealand number one Haupai Puha, who holds a PDC Tour Card for the second year in a row.

Littler returns to Australian soil with baggage: he recently made history by becoming the youngest player ever to win the World Matchplay in Blackpool, capturing the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy. Littler defeated compatriot James Wade 18-13 in the final.

He finished runner-up in this tournament in 2024 after losing 8-1 to Gerwyn Price in the final, but wants to grab the title this year at all costs. His impressive debut year on the PDC circuit already earned him victories in Bahrain and Poland last year, as well as the title at the World Series of Darts Finals. This year, however, he had no success at the World Series of Darts for now, not even reaching the final.

“I’m feeling good," said Littler confidently. "Whether it’s my debut or not, I always want to win, so once you’re a runner-up, you always want to come back next year and go one better.

“It’s been a difficult World Series campaign for myself this year, but there’s still two more opportunities to pick up titles, and hopefully I can get one this weekend! Coming off the back of the World Matchplay I’m feeling very confident and hopefully I’m up to the task!”

The winner of the first-round duel between Littler and Puha will take on the winner of Australia's clash between Damon Heta and James Bailey in the quarterfinals.