‘This tournament is brutal’ – Luke Littler left wanting more despite inflicting heaviest defeat on reigning champion

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Luke Littler was at his brilliant best on Thursday night as he reached the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in style. The 18-year-old has now reached at least the final eight of every major in 2025 after a whitewash win against Mike De Decker. De Decker, who won this tournament last year, was unable to continue his title defence, losing 3-0 to the teenage superstar. And it marked an unwanted first for the Belgian, as he had never been beaten 3-0 before at the World Grand Prix.He lost 2-0 in the first round of the 2023 tournament, but he’d never lost as heavily as he did to the dominant Littler. The second round match started with the pair trading legs, holding throw and setting up what could have been a tense affair. However, De Decker went on to take ten darts to start his scoring with a double in the fourth leg, allowing Littler to win the first set.Littler then started the second set on fire, quickly moving 2-0 up before a wobble let the reigning champion back in. Again though, the Belgian No.1 struggled to hit his double, this time taking seven darts to find it and losing the set. Then, in the third set, Littler cruised to a 3-0 win after De Decker missed a leg-winning dart, wrapping the victory up by reeling in the Big Fish, checking out a 170 and celebrating with the fans.De Decker only managed to win two legs in the entire match and he just couldn’t compete at the same level as the world champion.Littler averaged 91 throughout the clash and his dominant performance saw him move closer to a shot at the major title.Littler wrapped up a whitewash win in style, checking out a 170 and reeling in the big fish in celebrationSky SportsHe turned to the fans with a smug look after securing a spot in the quarter-finalsSky SportsLittler wants moreDespite winning with ease and reaching the World Grand Prix quarters, Littler feels he’s still missing one thing…a nine-darter.He managed to come a few throws away during the match against De Decker, but let out a wry smile when he blew the chance. Speaking post-match, Littler told Sky Sports: “I was happy getting the 60 to leave the 170 [for his final throws], I just said to myself to leave with a big one.“Not that great of a game, Mike wasn’t at his best…My doubling was very good once again. I’m hitting the double 20.“I can feel the nine-darter coming, hopefully it comes next round.“This tournament is brutal. We have seen some shocks, but I had to do my job.”Littler has now won every single one of his seven meetings with De Decker, handing him his heaviest Grand Prix defeatSky SportsFlawless recordLittler has now extended his perfect record against De Decker. He has faced the 29-year-old seven times since turning professional, winning every single match-up. They most recently clashed in the New Zealand and Australia Darts Masters, with Littler winning 6-2 and 8-4 in those games.Before that, the teenage sensation won 8-5 in March on the European Tour and 10-3 in the Players Championship in 2024. A 10-9 thriller at the Grand Slam of Darts last year came just ten days before that Players Championship victory for Littler.And he won their first-ever meeting in October 2024, 6-3.Littler is hoping to win the World Grand Prix for the first time this yearGettyWhen does Littler play next?Littler will take on Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix of Darts.His last eight clash will take place on Friday, October 10.It will, of course, still be held at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with all the action throughout the week. To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.