Darts results: Michael van Gerwen defeats Luke Littler to win his first big TV title since September 2023

The Dutchman, who has now won 48 individual 'majors' in the PDC, last won a trophy of this ilk on this very stage two years ago when thrashing Nathan Aspinall but since then he's suffered four final defeats including one to Littler at the Ally Pally back in January.

A rejuvenated MVG looked in superb form all weekend despite having to survive match darts in dramatic victories over Wessel Nijman and Rob Cross, while he claimed the scalps of Luke Humphries and Josh Rock earlier on Sunday to set up a showdown with the defending champion and hot favourite.

Van Gerwen made a commanding start and despite Littler clawing himself back to 6-6 from 6-3 down, he powered towards the finish line and celebrated his emotional trophy lift with daughter Zoe.

“I have goosebumps - it’s amazing to hold a trophy again,” reflected an emotional Van Gerwen, who celebrated the win on stage with his daughter Zoe.

“Everyone knows I’ve had a difficult time in the last few months, but to win in front of my home crowd means a lot to me. I was playing some fantastic darts, and that gives you energy, that gives you joy, and I’m really glad I could perform like this. It means the world to me.

“I had to dig really deep to do this. I still love what I do, and hopefully this is the beginning of a bright future for me.”

Van Gerwen defied a rip-roaring start from Littler to seize the early initiative in Sunday’s showpiece, only for the 18-year-old to draw level at three apiece with a ten-darter in leg six.

The Dutchman responded with a three-leg burst – aided by an 11-dart break in leg eight – to surge into a 6-3 lead, but the pendulum swung once again when Van Gerwen squandered darts for a 7-3 cushion.

Littler produced an 11-darter of his own to restore parity at 6-6, yet an unflappable Van Gerwen restored his three-leg buffer to leave Littler staring down the barrel.

Roared on by the Dutch support, Van Gerwen then pinned double five to move a leg away from glory at 10-7, before landing the same target to seal the deal with a sensational 130 checkout.

Littler was bidding to retain a PDC Premier title for the first time in his career, although he was unable to topple an impenetrable Van Gerwen in the Dutch capital.

The World Champion won through a series of gruelling battles across the weekend, following up a brace of 6-4 victories against Simon Whitlock and Jonny Clayton with an epic quarter-final win against Ross Smith.

The teenage wonderkid averaged and landed ten 180s to wrap up a memorable 10-8 success, defying a 106 average from former European Champion Smith to win through a classic.

This was followed by a dramatic deciding-leg victory over two-time champion Gerwyn Price, as he capitalised on profligacy from the Welshman in the latter stages to overturn a 9-5 deficit.

“It was another good tournament for myself,” reflected Littler, who was full of praise for Van Gerwen post-match. Michael was playing some of his best darts this weekend.

“It’s good to see him back. He’s had a tough time, but if he keeps playing like that, we’re going to have some great battles.”

Price followed up his comeback win over Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld in the second round with another impressive fightback against Chris Dobey in the quarter-finals, recovering from 6-4 down to join Rock in the last four.

The Northern Irishman had defeated World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker 10-6 in Sunday’s opening quarter-final, having also whitewashed Dutch number two Danny Noppert in round two.

World Series of Darts Finals: Tournament results

First Round

• Chris Dobey 6-2 Luke Woodhouse
• Cameron Menzies 6-3 Peter Wright
• Ross Smith 6-4 Jonny Tata
• Raymond van Barneveld 6-5 Cor Dekker
• Gerwyn Price 6-1 Danny Lauby
• Luke Littler 6-4 Simon Whitlock
• Jonny Clayton 6-0 Jason Brandon
• Dave Chisnall 6-2 Nathan Aspinall
• Kevin Doets 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
• Josh Rock 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
• Damon Heta 6-1 Joe Cullen
• Mike De Decker 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
• Luke Humphries 6-5 James Wade
• Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Wessel Nijman
• Danny Noppert 6-4 Stephen Bunting
• Rob Cross 6-3 Haupai Puha

Second Round

• Mike De Decker 6-4 Damon Heta
• Josh Rock 6-0 Danny Noppert
• Luke Humphries 6-4 Kevin Doets
• Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Rob Cross
• Gerwyn Price 6-4 Raymond van Barneveld
• Chris Dobey 6-1 Cameron Menzies
• Luke Littler 6-4 Jonny Clayton
• Ross Smith 6-4 Dave Chisnall

Quarter Finals

• Josh Rock 10-6 Mike De Decker
• Luke Humphries 5-10 Michael van Gerwen
• Luke Littler 10-8 Ross Smith
• Gerwyn Price 10-8 Chris Dobey

Semi Finals

• Josh Rock 6-11 Michael van Gerwen
• Luke Littler 11-10 Gerwyn Price

Final

• Michael van Gerwen 11-7 Luke Littler

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