“People might have said I was nervous – I wasn’t” – Luke Littler shrugs off pressure after edging past Clayton to World Series quarters
Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation and reigning PDC World Champion, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam after a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Jonny Clayton in the second round. The win, which came on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the AFAS Live, followed a similarly tense 6-4 first-round triumph over Simon Whitlock, keeping Littler’s title defense alive. Despite the close contests and visible fatigue, Littler dismissed any suggestions of nerves, insisting he was in control throughout. His composure under pressure has fans and pundits praising the teenager’s mental fortitude as he prepares for Finals Day on Sunday.
Littler’s Path to the Quarters: Two Tough Battles
Littler’s title defense began with a nervy afternoon opener against Whitlock, the veteran Australian, where he ground out a 6-4 win after trailing 3-2. The match featured Littler’s trademark heavy scoring, including 10 maximum 180s, but Clayton’s doubles precision kept it tight. In the evening second round, Clayton, the 2021 World Grand Prix winner, pushed Littler to the brink, breaking throw in the ninth leg to lead 5-4. However, Littler responded with a clinical 81 checkout on double 16 to force a decider, then sealed the match with a 13-dart leg, averaging 96.28 overall.
The back-to-back victories marked a grueling day for Littler, who admitted to feeling the strain. “It’s been tough today, playing two matches. I just feel a bit tired, but I had to get myself over the line against Jonny,” he said post-match. Despite the close scores, Littler was adamant about his mindset: “People might have said I was nervous – I wasn’t. I just had to dig in and find the gears. If it went 4-0, completely different story. But I always back myself in these situations.”
Littler’s confidence stems from his dominant 2025 season, which includes six major PDC titles: the World Championship (£500,000), Premier League (£315,000), World Matchplay (£200,000), UK Open (£110,000), Grand Slam of Darts (£150,000), and World Series Finals (£80,000 from 2024). With 17 PDC titles overall, he’s the second seed behind Stephen Bunting and favored to win the £80,000 top prize on Sunday.
Shrugging Off the Pressure: Littler’s Mental Edge
Littler’s nonchalant dismissal of pressure reflects his rapid maturation since bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old in 2023. The Warrington teenager, now a millionaire with over £2 million in career earnings, has faced immense scrutiny but thrives in high-stakes moments. “Tomorrow, first to ten, the longer format will definitely suit me. Hopefully I can play better than I did today,” he added, eyeing a potential semifinal clash with world No. 1 Luke Humphries or Michael van Gerwen.
His quarterfinal opponent will be determined by Sunday’s afternoon session, where Littler faces Ross Smith after Humphries or van Gerwen advances. Littler’s path has been far from straightforward, but his ability to “back myself” has been a hallmark, from his 2024 World Championship final run to his 2025 nine-dart finishes.
Fan and Expert Reactions
Fans praised Littler’s resilience on social media, with one X post reading, “Littler digging deep against Clayton—nerves? Nah, that’s just The Nuke being clutch! On to quarters! 🎯” (@DartsFanatic). Another noted, “People might say nervous, but Luke’s ice cold. World Series quarters locked in!” (@TheNukeArmy). Pundits like Wayne Mardle highlighted his mental strength: “Littler’s not fazed by pressure—he’s built for it. That 6-4 win over Clayton shows why he’s the best.”
The World Series of Darts Finals, with a £400,000 prize fund, continues on Sunday at 11:45 AM BST (afternoon session) and 6:00 PM BST (evening), live on Sky Sports in the UK. Littler’s journey from Ally Pally wonderkid to global star continues, proving that under pressure, “I wasn’t” nervous—he was simply unbeatable.
