Teenage sensation Luke Littler faces Luke Humphries in possible "best ever" World Darts Championship final on Wednesday at Alexandra Palace; watch Littler vs Humphries live on Sky Sports Darts from 7.30pm, stream without a contract on NOW, or follow our live blog
Wednesday 3 January 2024 15:42, UK
Four years on from their first meeting in a local competition, Luke Humphries is predicting his World Darts Championship final against 16-year-old Luke Littler could be one of the "best" ever.
Littler became the youngest player ever to reach the final when he defeated Rob Cross 6-2 on Tuesday with quite a bit to spare.
The 16-year-old, who is days away from his 17th birthday (Jan 21), now has a shot at claiming a historic place in the sport as he takes aim at the title at Alexandra Palace.
Humphries ensured he will top the world rankings for the first time after delivering one of the best-ever performances at the tournament to whitewash Michael van Gerwen's conqueror Scott Williams 6-0.
"Nothing is going to faze him," Humphries said of Littler after his victory on Tuesday evening. "If he plays like he did tonight, tomorrow is not going to faze him at all, so I will probably have to play the game of my life.
"I know what's in front of me and what the task is. I've got to play at my best tomorrow but I'm hoping I make him play his best as well and we give the fans hopefully one of the best world finals we have ever seen."
Reflecting on his 2019 meeting with a then 12-year-old Littler in a local competition, Humphries added: "The first time I played with him I think he was 12 and he was scarily good then.
"It was in a local competition and he missed a 164 to go ahead. I think I took out 64 and 3, see that says a lot that I remember what happened.
"I remember knowing that when you're a 12-year-old playing that well, there is some talent there.
"A lot of people have come and gone, but he's showed that he's the real deal, and regardless of what happens tomorrow he's got a massive, massive bright future.
Littler, who is on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, admits it's "beyond believable" that he has reached the final.
"It's not even sunk in yet," said Littler. "I threw big averages on the floor the past year and I'm happy to bring it on to the big stage.
"I've got to stay focused, be Luke Littler and relax. It's beyond believable. I only set a goal of winning one game and coming back after Christmas and I'm still standing.
"I can't imagine lifting the trophy. I have to just beat whoever is in front of me. I've got to stay mature, got to be myself and keep myself to myself.
"I've got to stay composed and try and get over that line."
Littler has knocked out two former world champions in Raymond van Barneveld and Cross, and now he has his sights set on holding aloft The Sid Waddell Trophy when he faces the best player on planet darts in Humphries.
"I've just got to beat whoever is in front of me tomorrow. It's not even sunk in yet," he said. "This World Championship I've got nothing to lose, it's just a free hit and here I am still standing. There's no pressure, I just take everything in my stride.
"I've got to believe in myself, believe in my ability and so far, so good."
Littler, who revealed he received pre-match messages from footballers Luke Shaw and Rio Ferdinand, only qualified for the tournament by winning the World Youth Championship in November and his fairy-tale run has put the PDC under pressure to hand him a place in the forthcoming Premier League.
Pundit Wayne Mardle says Littler continues to perform beyond the highest level, calling his performances "magnificent".
"He averages 106.05 in the biggest match of his life," Mardle said. "The kid just takes it all in his stride. Absolutely magnificent.
"If you're sat at home and witnessed that or are here, you've witnessed something utterly mind-boggling. A 16-year-old is in the final of the World Championship."
Watch the World Darts Championship final at 7.30pm on January 3 - live on Sky Sports Darts. Stream Sky Sports Darts without a contract through NOW
