Luke Littler is out of the PDC World Youth Championship having lost a semi-final epic to Beau Greaves.
The world no.2 had been the clear favourite for the title once he announced his surprise appearance at the event just hours before.
3
Littler was beaten in the semi-finals of the PDC World Youth Championship by GreavesCredit: GettyI’ll win! Gerwyn Price starts the mind games with Luke Littler ahead of blockbuster showdown
Littler had been expected to skip the tournament, which he won in 2023, after not defending his title last year.
However, the Nuke revealed he would take part in Wigan immediately after his World Grand Prix triumph on Sunday.
The 18-year-old eased through the round robin stage before wins over Charlie Manby and Jamai van den Herik to set up his showdown with Greaves.
Littler averaged 107.4 and produced a pair of ten-dart legs in his clash with the three-time WDF women’s world champion.
He even missed a dart at double 12 for a nine-darter in the fourth leg of the semi-final.
Greaves would ultimately prevail, though, averaging 105 herself.
The 21-year-old clinched victory with an 11-dart break of throw in the decider.
Littler was gracious in defeat as he shared a classy message to his opponent on social media.
In a post to his Instagram story, he wrote: “I had two 10-dart legs, missed D12 for a nine and still couldn’t win.
“Fair play to @beau_greaves, all the best in Minehead. Some talent.”
3
Greaves is the first woman to reach the final of the PDC World Youth ChampionshipCredit: GettyGreaves makes history
Greaves will now face defending champion Gian van Veen, who Littler beat two years ago, in next month’s final in Minehead.
Van Veen scooped £12,000 by beating Jurjen van de Velde in the final 12 months ago, with his opponent taking home £6,000 in prize money.
The winner of the World Youth Championship also earns a spot at Alexandra Palace for the PDC World Darts Championship.
However, Greaves has already qualified through the Development Tour, whilst world no.15 Van Veen is also set to appear in London in December.
As well as her three WDF world titles, Beau ‘n’ Arrow is also a two-time Women’s World Matchplay winner.
Her historic win over Littler, meanwhile, has seen her become the first woman ever to reach the World Youth Championship final.
3
Littler previously became world youth champion in 2023 but will not be the second two-time winnerCredit: PDC
As for Littler, he has missed out on the chance to become only the second two-time winner of the event.
Dimitri van den Bergh previously achieved the feat in back-to-back years after victories in 2017 and 2018.
Meanwhile, Littler is one of three players to be crowned both youth and professional world champion.
He joined Michael Smith and Humphries in doing so after beating Michael van Gerwen at Ally Pally back in January.