Saturday’s PDC World Championship clash between Luke Littler and Mensur Suljović was eagerly anticipated by darts fans around the world. After Suljović had already frustrated Joe Cullen earlier in the tournament—using his unorthodox style to great effect—many were curious to see whether the Austrian could unsettle the teenage sensation as well.
One particular moment during the match quickly became the main talking point, encapsulating perfectly the contrasting mindsets of the two players. Suljovic attempted one of his trademark unconventional actions, but Littler’s reaction spoke volumes. “The Nuke” was clearly unwilling to concede even the smallest opening. Suljovic’s plan backfired, and his visible frustration underlined just how firmly Littler had seized control of the contest.
Mensur Suljovic celebrating getting his first darts at a double in the eighth leg against Luke Littler 😂😂😂
So glad he then hit it! pic.twitter.com/k73H5b2la9
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) December 27, 2025
The incident occurred in the third set, when Suljović finally had his first opportunity to throw at a double. That statistic alone illustrated the extraordinary level Littler produced on the Alexandra Palace stage. The 18-year-old delivered a performance of remarkable consistency and scoring power, finishing the match with an average of over 107.
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Where many players might have shown a smile or a hint of satisfaction in such a dominant position, Littler showed none. His intense, focused expression reflected a ruthless competitiveness reminiscent of Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen in their most dominant eras. Against Littler, opponents are given nothing for free.
A comparable moment occurred earlier in the tournament when Luke Humphries faced darts legend Paul Lim. Humphries later admitted he was pleased Lim managed to win a leg, saying he did not want to secure a 9–0 whitewash against such an iconic figure. Littler, by contrast, displayed no such sentimentality.
With this obstacle overcome, Luke Littler now awaits the winner of the match between Damon Heta and Rob Cross in the next round. Luke Humphries, meanwhile, must first overcome Gabriel Clemens if he is to reach the fourth round of the PDC World Championship.
For many players, the initial ambition was simply to survive until after Christmas. Now, the goal is to still be competing after New Year’s Eve—an achievement that guarantees a place in the quarter-finals and prize money of at least £100,000.
Dutch hopes of reaching that stage appeared promising after strong earlier performances from Wesley Plaisier and Niels Zonneveld, but both fell short on Saturday afternoon. As a result, the Netherlands’ remaining hopes now rest on Kevin Doets, Gian van Veen, Michael van Gerwen and Jermaine Wattimena.