LUKE LITTLER admitted he "fell asleep" before setting up another blockbuster clash with Michael van Gerwen. The 18-year-old ground out a 6-4 win over Dimitri Van den Bergh in his Dutch Masters opener - after the Belgian had shaken up his walk-on routine.
![[Luke Littler celebrates winning a darts championship.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/03-01-2025-luke-littler-965227334_89fed2.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
However, the teen sensation needed to hit three 180s in the last two legs to get over the line after a mid-match slump. On going up a gear, he admitted: "I had to. Dimitri was behind me all the way. "But two-nil up, fell asleep and I had to find other gears.
![[Dimitri Van den Bergh at a darts match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/dimitri-van-den-bergh-first-878098069.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"The World Series is a massive thing. You go to all these different countries. But I would say it’s match practice for the Premier League.". Van den Bergh surprisingly dumped his classic Happy walk-on song and dance for the occasion. It was replaced by Play Hard by David Guetta.
When asked about it, Littler replied: "I don’t really know. I think it’s good for us players that he's not there dancing around!. "So we get to walk-on quicker. He can take his time. It’s a good song.". BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS.
Littler now faces Van Gerwen in the quarters, a repeat of their World Final clash at the Ally Pally three weeks ago. He added: "Obviously I’d like to get another win and progress to the semi-final. "I think Michael might be thinking he wants revenge, especially in his backyard.
