Littler starts World Matchplay defence with Springer win
Luke Littler advanced through the opening round of the World Matchplay Darts championship with a commanding comeback victory over Germany's Niko Springer, winning 10-6 after being held at 5-5 midway through the contest. The top-seeded teenager seized control in the closing stages to win five of the final six legs, demonstrating his power-finishing capabilities with seven 180-point scores and an average of 109.53.
The result extends Littler's dominant run through the 2026 darts calendar, adding to victories across three other major tournaments and his prior World Matchplay title from last year. The opening round saw strong representation from English competitors, with three further homegrown players—Stephen Bunting, Josh Rock, and Nathan Aspinall—all securing victories in their respective matches, suggesting domestic strength throughout the competition.
- Littler defeats Springer 10-6 in World Matchplay first-round defence, mounting a comeback after trailing early
- Strong closing performance with seven 180s maintains his exceptional 2026 form across four major titles
- English players dominate opening round, with Bunting, Rock, and Aspinall also advancing