Glory in Graz for Littler – Austrian Darts Open Report

Littler Adds a Second Euro Title Winning the 2024 Austrian Darts Open

Premier league leader Luke Littler delivered a series of sensational performances to add the Austrian Darts Open to his fast growing collection of PDC titles. Luke Littler posted a sensational pair of performances in this evenings session, culminating in an 8-4 victory over Joe Cullen to add to his Belgian Darts Open victory with a second Euro Tour tour title and add another £30,000 to his ranking.

Cullen, who had played some fantastic darts throughout the weekend was unable to carry that form into the final and only managed an average of 85. The consistent scoring that guided him to the final seemed to have abandoned him. Littler on the other hand managed to maintain the superb level that got him to the final and after taking the first break of the match to go 5-3 ahead, then managed to keep Cullen at arms length and in the end cruised to victory with the final dart in the bullseye securing the title.

Littler claimed a place in his second Euro Tour final of the year as he brushed aside Ross Smith in his semi-final with an incredible performance averaging over 105, a level we have become accustomed to seeing from the 17-year old sensation. Backed up by a doubling success rate of 58% (7/12) Smith became another spectator of the Luke Littler show and could do little to make the match competitive.

The victory moved Littler into the top 16 of the Pro Tour for the first time and virtually make certain his spot at the Matchplay in July.

Cullen booked his place in the final with a 7-5 victory over Stephen Bunting, the two former Masters champions exchanged five breaks of throw in a match that swung back and forth. Cullen actually posted his lowest average of the tournament so far but that being a 96 is evidence of how consistent The Rock Star’s game has been this weekend.

Earlier in the day

The afternoon session got off to a flying start when Joe Cullen eliminated number one seed Dave Chisnall in a brilliant match in which Cullen posted a superb 102 average. This was followed and exceeded in the second game of the afternoon when Gian van Veen averaged 105 to edge out against game Ritchie Edhouse whose consistency in qualifying events has made himself a regular feature of this year’s Euro Tour events.

Martin Schindler continued his Euro tour form by reaching a third quarter-final of the year with a victory over reigning Austrian Darts Open champion Jonny Clayton to secure a quarter final spot. The Wall however could not equal his winning performance at the German Darts Open falling in the Quarter Finals to Stephen Bunting.

Sunday April 28

Afternoon Session

Third Round

Joe Cullen 6-3 Dave Chisnall

Gian van Veen 6-4 Ritchie Edhouse

Stephen Bunting 6-3 Daryl Gurney

Martin Schindler 6-3 Jonny Clayton

Luke Littler 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski

Danny Noppert 6-3 Josh Rock

Ross Smith 6-2 Daniel Klose

Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Peter Wright

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals

Joe Cullen 6-3 Gian van Veen

Stephen Bunting 6-5 Martin Schindler

Luke Littler 6-5 Danny Noppert

Ross Smith 6-1 Michael Van Gerwen

Semi-Finals

Joe Cullen 7-5 Stephen Bunting

Luke Littler 7-2 Ross Smith

Final

Luke Littler 8-4 Joe Cullen