Luke Littler has congratulated Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-old lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday.
The teenager had entered the showdown hoping to lay down a marker as he looks to win the competition for the second year on the trot.
But Littler’s title defence got off to a problematic start, with Van Gerwen edging a thrilling clash 6-5 to go through.
Littler’s defeat comes just weeks after he’d beaten the same opponent to win the World Darts Championship at the start of January.
Luke Littler has congratulated Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-old lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday
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Yet he showed class in defeat by congratulating Van Gerwen on his triumph.
Writing on Instagram, he said: Some match that was always gonna be close but fair play @mvg180.
“Fun few months ahead with the Premier League, Glasgow up next.”
There was added spice before the showdown due to Van Gerwen blasting Littler after he turned up late to a photoshoot.
However, there doesn’t appear to be any lingering bad blood between the pair.
Van Gerwen proceeded to make the semis but came up short, with the 35-year-old losing to Luke Humphries in the last four.
Humphries, the world No 1, then went on to secure victory by thumping Chris Dobey.
And Van Gerwen has admitted he’s frustrated after failing to come out on top, especially after performing so well against Littler.
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“I can only blame myself for this again. There was one the better player and that was me,” he told Viaplay.
“They just don’t have anything to say to me tonight, but I let myself down.
“Maybe that’s the process I’m in right now. It does me a lot of good to see that I’m on the right track.
“I just have to see this through, then I can show a lot of great things in this Premier League. I feel good.”
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Humphries, meanwhile, insists Littler remains the player to beat in the Premier League this year – and also insisted the youngster was the best darts star on the planet at the current moment in time.
“Littler, the way he’s playing is unbelievable,” he said.
“You’re watching that game against Van Gerwen and you will be very lucky for anyone to match another game like that.
“He’s by far one of the greatest darts players I’ve seen in my career. I’m not disrespecting myself, but I think he’s the best player in the world.
Luke Littler had been called out by Michael van Gerwen prior to their Premier League clash on Thursday night
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“If he goes out, I’m the one to beat but he’s definitely the man to beat. He plays darts at such a great pace. He smashes in the trebles and doubles.
“This is what happened to me last year. There’s a target on your back, everyone wants to beat you. You average over 100 and people beat you.
“He’s still the best player in the world. But for me, I know I can still play at a decent standard and still win things.”