Luke Littler stuns Gary Anderson with comeback for the ages as the Nuke gets emotional and pays homage to a legend

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Flying Gary Anderson looked set to annihilate Luke Littler - only for darts' rising star to come roaring back from four sets down to reach the Darts Grand Slam final at his first ever attempt.

The teenage sensation was heavily fancied to overcome the veteran and it appeared to be going his way initially, leading 7-4 after the first leg of the third mini-session. But Anderson found another gear to go through and, racking up his tournament-best 167 checkout along the way, he dominated the fourth session and stormed into a 12-8 lead.

But Littler rallied. He controlled the next session and, with 28 legs of darts played, it was 14 -14. Anderson's nerves visibly jangling and his previously electric finishing deserted him at times during the final set, with Littler's relentless power-scoring ensuring he was never far away. A break of throw in the 29th leg meant Anderson had the darts to win it, but he failed to take out 106 and Littler roared back to tie it up at 15-15.

And then it was the teenager who had the last laugh, wearing it down in 14 darts to pin double 12 and set up a showdown with Martin Lukeman, who beat Micky Mansell 16-12, in the final on Sunday night.

A two-time World Champion, the Grand Slam has been something of a bogey tournament for Anderson over the years. He was in the 2011 and 2018 finals, but has never won it so far. And that wait will go on for the 53-year-old after a semi-final for the ages.

As for Littler, he was visibly emotional when he landed 24 to win it and admitted after the match it was 'one of the greatest he's won' during his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the sport.

"I can't believe I won," a breathless Littler told Sky Sports after the game. "I know I've got it, but when he's checking out 100+ when I'm slamming a double, and when he's checking out doubles with his last dart, I'm like 'Gary, just miss!'

"He was very good on his doubles today. But I'm so glad I won. I've just got to stay focused and be myself. I'm sure Martin will be up for it later on, so will I. But this is one of the best games I've won."

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