Luke Littler reveals classy message from Rob Cross after World Darts Championship semi-final

Luke Littler, 16, stormed into the final of the PDC World Darts Championship with a 6-2 win over Rob Cross on Tuesday night, with the teenage sensation sharing a moment with the 2018 champion on stage after his triumph

Luke Littler, the 16 year old darts sensation, received a classy message of support from Rob Cross immediately after thrashing the 2018 champion in their World Championship semi-final on Tuesday night.

Littler powered his way into the final with a 6-2 win at Alexandra Palace, with an impressive average of 106. Cross became the teenage star's latest big name scalp, having already taken out the likes of Andrew Gilding, Raymond van Barneveld, and Brendan Dolan.

Cross himself didn't play poorly, averaging over 100. But he just couldn't keep pace with the young phenom, who revealed post-match what Cross had told him as the crowd celebrated Littler's latest triumph.

Littler revealed to Sky Sports: "He just said 'God bless, I respect you and do it'."

Littler expressed his disbelief at reaching the final on his debut, declaring: "I have no words, it's just crazy, that I'm in a World Championship final on my debut. I was happy winning one game but I could go all the way."

Littler has already proved he is the real deal but produced his biggest statement yet as he downed eighth seed Cross in stunning fashion. He bombarded the treble-20 for 16 180s, produced three 130-plus checkouts and averaged 106.05 in a nerveless performance.

“I haven’t got the words. It’s crazy,” he said. “I have just settled on that stage. It has not even sunk in yet. I have surprised myself.

“I have just got to stay focused and be LukeLittler. I have got to be mature and be myself. It would be unbelievable if I won it, I only wanted to win one match.”

Littler is now on the cusp of producing one of the greatest sporting stories of all time, with new world No.1 Luke Humphries standing in his way.

Littler has made history with some unconventional preparations, with his love of kebabs also a theme of his run to the final, but it is working for him.

“I’ll keep doing what I have been doing,” he said. “I don’t wake up until 12, in the morning go for my ham and cheese omelette, come here and have my pizza, and then go on the practice board.

“It is what I have been doing every day – if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to webhomepage@mirror.co.uk

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