Luke Littler was put on the spot by Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle, who asked the teenager if he was the best darts player in the world following his latest Premier League victory. The 17-year-old secured his place in the play-offs by defeating Rob Cross 6-4 in Aberdeen's final.
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Unbeaten in 12 professional matches, Littler was asked by Mardle if he thought that he was the best player in the world, to which the darts sensation timidly replied: "No."
Mardle then doubled down on his line of questioning, despite the awkward nature of assessing Littler compared to his rivals, as the commentator then asked if Littler thought that world champion Luke Humphries was instead the best in the competition.
"I don't know..." Littler replied, as 'Cool Hands' also joined his World Championship finalist in qualifying for the play-offs with two Premier League nights to spare.
Littler spoke of his delight to secure a fourth nightly win, having picked up five more match victories than anyone else on his debut season. And he is now looking to play with freedom over the next two weeks in Leeds and Sheffield.
"I can just play with a free throw now that I'm through," he added. "I'll play to win but if it's not to be, it's all about getting ready for London. I've definitely settled into the Premier League. First few weeks I was OK but I was settling in. I've won four nights now and feel settled."
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He then promised to the broadcaster's host Emma Paton that he would attempt a nine-darter in the final two nights of the league stage, as he is yet to delight Premier League fans in such a manner. "I need to hit one," he said. "I've already hit three this year and if I'm playing well then I know it's going."
With the form that the teenager is in, few would bet against him. Littler swept Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith and Cross on his way to another nightly victory and Mardle believes that he is looking more confident than ever.
"I think Littler is playing the best in the world but this changes all the time," he said. "He has a swagger. He seems to have come out of his shell. He is shushing the audience and there has been a change in him."