Luke Littler books place in World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen

Luke Littler has beaten Stephen Bunting to book his place in the final of the World Darts Championship.

The 17-year-old was favourite to progress into the final for a second year running and swept Bunting aside to win by 6 sets to 1.

He will face three-time champion Michael van Gerwen for the title on Friday night.

Speaking to Sky Sports Darts after the win, Littler said it has “been an amazing tournament so far”.

“It’s been an amazing tournament so far. People would say I was looking at the title throughout the tournament.

“After the first game against Ryan Meikle, I have just beat what was in front of me.”

Littler averaged 105.48 with 13 180s and 44% on his doubles in the semi-final.

The teenage sensation admitted he has “played a lot better” since reaching last year’s World Championship final.

“I’ve won plenty of titles leading up to this. That’s what we do.

“There are majors all year around and I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”

Earlier on Thursday evening, van Gerwen booked a place in his seventh World final with a win over Chris Dobey.

Littler, known as The Nuke, also told Sky Sports that if both he and van Gerwen “turn up like we did tonight, it will be really good”.

“We all know he’s hunting for a fourth world title. I’m hunting for my first.”

He added that after his semi-final win, he’ll do the “same as last night, go home, chill out and come back tomorrow”.

Many have tipped Littler to go all the way after top seed and defending champion Luke Humphries unexpectedly went out earlier in the tournament.

But he still needed to defeat 39-year-old Bunting, nicknamed The Bullet, at Alexandra Palace in London.

Littler has shown he’s not a flash in the pan after being crowned Premier League champion and winning the Grand Slam of Darts.

His Grand Slam victory made him just the fourth player ever to win 10 trophies in a season.

The teenager’s earnings have now topped £1m and he was recently named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year – also coming second in the main sports personality prize.

Littler will now take on Dutch star Michael van Gerwen in Friday’s final.

As well as the glory of being champion, the winner will collect a £500,000 prize with the runner-up getting £250,000.

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