astonishingly demolished at the Czech Darts Open on Sunday evening despite the Dutchman recording a staggering 112.19 average. After their latest classic on the oche, Van Gerwen was pictured putting the teenage sensation into a light-hearted chokehold backstage.
Littler has been in scintillating form in Prague. The 17-year-old's 110.57 average in the jaw-dropping quarter-final was his third consecutive 110+ average at the tournament.
Van Gerwen was equally on fire but was left in disbelief while he conjured what became the highest losing average in European Tour history.
The pair produced a combined 11 180s, but it was Littler's finish rate of 46 per cent compared to Van Gerwen's 17 that proved decisive.
Shortly following the match, the three-time world champion shared a reactionary image on X, wishing Littler well for the rest of the tournament.
In the blurred photo, Van Gerwen was captured wearing an unhinged smile as he wrapped his hands around the Brit's neck.
His caption heaped praise on Littler while also seemingly vowing not to allow the young superstar to defeat him again.
It read: "This is not gonna happen again. Fantastic game by @LukeTheNuke180 what a talent. All the best."
Van Gerwen kicked off proceedings with a 13-darter before Littler responded with a 12-darter and 13-darter - a sign of what was to come.
In the fourth leg, the former squandered a dart for the leg on the bullseye, allowing Littler to land a sucker punch in the form of a 106 checkout.
Van Gerwen missed another two darts on the double in the fifth leg before his opponent completed another 13-darter to move 4-1 ahead.
An 11-dart leg followed a 14-darter to wrap up an enthralling performance by Littler, who has been a force to be reckoned with since switching back to his old darts in Czechia.
His latest triumph over Van Gerwen set up a mouth-watering semi-final battle against Luke Humphries, who defeated Mike de Decker in his quarter-final.
It seemed like Littler was unstoppable before renewing his rivalry with his conqueror in last year's World Darts Championship final for a spot in the final.
However, Humphries offered a reminder of his unmatchable quality by beating The Nuke 7-4, averaging 109 to the latter's 107.
He will battle Belgium's Kim Huybrechts for his second Czech Darts Open title, having won the European Tour event for the first time in 2022.
