Beau Greaves emerged victorious from a 6-5 thriller in opposition to Luke Littler as she turned the primary girl to succeed in the ultimate of the World Youth Championship.
Littler got here into the event on the again of his 6-1 demolition of world number one Luke Humphries within the World Grand Prix last on Sunday.
The 18-year-old had breezed by means of his three matches within the round-robin part of the occasion, with wins over Dutchman Jeffrey Eager, Iceland’s Alexander Thorvaldsson and Belgium’s Matthias Moors.
Nevertheless, the world champion put in a below-par last-16 show in opposition to fellow Englishman Charlie Manby.
Littler was getting ready to defeat at 5-3 right down to the 20-year-old, earlier than profitable the subsequent three legs, then rediscovered his contact within the quarter-finals with a 6-1 victory over Jamai van den Herik of the Netherlands.
Warrington teenager Littler discovered himself 2-1 down within the semi-final in opposition to Greaves however responded by profitable three consecutive legs to grab the higher hand.
However three-time WDF ladies’s world champion Greaves – who is ready to just accept a PDC Tour card for 2026-27 – rallied to stage the match at 4-4 and 5-5.
Greaves then blew Littler away within the decider as she threw an 11-dart leg – the 21-year-old from Doncaster sealing victory with a checkout of 80.
She’s going to meet defending champion Gian van Veen in subsequent month’s last after the Dutchman, 23, clinched a 6-4 win over Sebastian Bialecki of Poland within the different semi-final.
The World Youth Championship last shall be performed on 23 November in Minehead, earlier than the Gamers Championship last on the identical day.
Littler, who averaged 107.4 to Greaves’ 105, posted on Instagram after his defeat: “Truthful play to Beau. All one of the best in Minehead. Some expertise.”
Gamers aged between 16 and 24 are eligible to compete within the World Youth Championship.
Littler received the youth title in 2023 aged 16, a couple of weeks earlier than he burst into the highlight by ending runner-up on the 2024 World Championship.
