Luke Littler fired in an average of over 109 to kick off his World Matchplay defence in empathic fashion on Saturday. <p>Debutant Niko Springer held the world No 1 to a level game in the second break at 5-5 before 'The Nuke' hit a purple patch to dismantle the German.</p><p>The defending champion turned on the turbo – winning five of the next six legs – and finishing with an average of 109.53 to send a warning to the rest of the field in Blackpool.</p><p>Littler averaged over 123 in the final six legs to move into the second round at the Winter Gardens.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/live-blog/12288/13564343/world-matchplay-2026-live-updates-video-commentary-scores-analysis-results-as-luke-littler-luke-humphries-go-for-glory-in-blackpool"><strong>As it happened on Day One of the World Matchplay</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/darts/news/37278/13428768/darts-2026-schedule-and-dates-premier-league-darts-world-matchplay-and-more-with-luke-littler-in-action"><strong>Darts in 2026: Key dates, calendar, results</strong></a> 📅</li><li><strong><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/WatchDartsApp" target="_blank">Got Sky? Watch on the Sky Sports app </a></strong>📱</li><li><strong><a href="http://www.nowtv.com/membership/watch-sky-sports?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Not got Sky? Get instant access with NOW</a></strong> 📺</li></ul><widget id="1"></widget><p>"It felt good. It felt very nice," said the 19-year-old from Warrington. "The first five legs were okay and then when I came back off the break I felt really good.</p><p>"It was bit annoying not going into the second break with the lead. Niko played his part but I found another gear and finished it off."</p><p>He added: "I was playing some really good stuff. From leg 11 I was on 120 average which goes to show how well I was playing. If I get better I'll be happier."</p><h3>Littler vs Springer: Tale of the Tape</h3> <widget id="10"></widget><p>Littler will take on <strong>Nathan Aspinall </strong>in the second round after 'The Asp' debuted his new shirt in style with a 10-5 win over Joe Cullen.</p> <widget id="11"></widget><p>Aspinall fired in a 105.32 average to power past his good friend Cullen as the pair fired in an incredible 16 180s between them with the Stockport ace taking out a huge 167 checkout along the way.</p><p>"I have not been playing that much," said Aspinall. "I didn't get in the Premier League, World Series, but I haven't really been concentrating on darts.</p><p>"I didn't expect to play like that but I am very happy with my performance. When I turned up today, I knew I had put the hours in.</p><p>"I am very happy with how I played, how I finished, how I conducted myself on the stage.</p><p>"I have got a pretty easy game next I think so I think I will be alright."</p><h3>Bunting survives huge scare</h3> <widget id="9"></widget><p><strong>Stephen Bunting </strong>defied a stirring comeback from Niels Zonneveld to defeat the Dutchman in a marathon last-leg decider.</p><p>Despite leading 8-5 and looking comfortable, Bunting was forced to survive match darts before eventually getting over the line.</p><p>Triple Z missed three match darts to stun 'The Bullet' before Bunting fired in an incredible 118 checkout.</p><p>The former Lakeside winner forced a deciding leg and broke the throw to tee up a second round tie with <strong>Josh Rock</strong>.</p> <widget id="8"></widget><p>Rock made a winning start for the second year running in Blackpool, beating Luke Woodhouse 10-4 despite a sub-91 average, making the most of swathes of missed doubles from Luke Woodhouse.</p><p>The Northern Irishman dispatched an out-of-sorts 'Woody' who missed 20 darts at double during the contest.</p><p>"The two of us weren't firing on all cylinders but at the same time I'm very happy to have won," said the 25-year-old.</p><p>"This is one of my favourites venues. There was more in the tank tonight but it just didn't happen."</p><p>After reaching the semi-finals last year, Rock added: "I'm not here for the memories, I'm here to try and win this trophy more than anyone else."</p> <widget id="2"></widget><h3>What's happening at the World Matchplay on Sunday?</h3> <widget id="7"></widget><p>The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18-26, as a 32-player field compete for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.</p><p>Three-time World Matchplay winner Michael van Gerwen will take centre stage in Sunday afternoon's session, as he plays two-time quarter-finalist Andrew Gilding in his opener.</p><p>Gary Anderson – the 2018 champion – makes his Winter Gardens return against Ryan Joyce, 2023 runner-up Jonny Clayton faces Damon Heta, while Chris Dobey and Dirk van Duijvenbode also lock horns.</p> <widget id="6"></widget><p>World No 3 Gian van Veen takes on newly-crowned European Darts Open champion Krzysztof Ratajski in Sunday's evening session, while 2007 champion James Wade – last year's runner-up – clashes with Jermaine Wattimena.</p><p>Wessel Nijman – a winner of eight PDC ProTour titles in 2026 – plays five-time World Matchplay quarter-finalist Dave Chisnall, as World Championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle meets Blackpool debutant William O'Connor.</p><p><strong>Who will win this year's World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Sky Sports. </strong><a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank"><strong>Stream darts and more top sport with NOW</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
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