Luke Littler saw his remarkable 12-game winning streak come to an unexpected halt with a defeat against Niels Sonnefeld at the Belgian Darts Open. Meanwhile, Luke Humphries quieted his detractors by securing an 8-6 victory over Johnny Clayton, marking his first stage win since September.
On Sunday, Humphries delivered a string of exceptional performances, defeating Germaine Watimena, Chris Dobey, and Michael van Gerwen to reach the final. He ultimately triumphed over Premier League leader Clayton to clinch his first Belgian Darts Open title and his ninth European Tour victory.
Ranked second in the world, Humphries started strong, defeating Wattimena 6-1 to advance to the quarter-finals. Despite missing 24 darts on doubles, he managed to edge past Dobey, winning 6-5. In a stunning semifinal match, he overwhelmed Van Gerwen 7-2, achieving an average of 105.96 and showcasing a checkout of 129.
Clayton made a spirited start to the final, taking the first leg. However, Humphries quickly regained control, featuring checkouts of 142 and 130 in the second and seventh legs, respectively. He pulled ahead significantly, boasting a 6-1 lead before Clayton attempted a comeback, winning four of the next five legs, including an impressive 126 checkout against the bull.
Despite this resurgence from the Welshman, Humphries secured the title with a decisive 13-dart leg. Reflecting on his performance post-victory, he acknowledged the pressures of the match and his mixed finishing, stating, “When you’re not winning much, it’s more challenging—not to mention nerve-wracking.” He commended Clayton as “one of the most underrated players,” highlighting the tenacity he displayed throughout the match.
Littler, entering the tournament as the undefeated champion, initially showcased his talent by defeating Boris Krutschmar 6-2 in his opening match. However, he could not maintain his momentum, as Sonnefeld executed a spectacular 147 checkout in a dramatic final leg to eliminate the world number one from the tournament.
Littler’s Early Exit and MVG Dashes Gurney’s Hopes
The two-time world champion, averaging over 103, was unable to hold onto his title as Sonnefeld mounted an impressive comeback from a 3-1 deficit to advance to the quarter-finals. “It was more challenging than I expected,” Sonnefeld remarked after his victory, expressing relief at his performance and the significance of the win.
With the conclusion of an exhilarating weekend, the 2026 Winamax European Tour will continue with the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich from April 4th to 6th. Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen seeks to defend his title, while Humphries aims for a consecutive victory in Germany.
The finals saw extraordinary matches with results such as Niels Sonnefeld’s 6-5 victory over Luke Littler, or Johnny Clayton’s hard-fought 7-6 win against him in the semifinals. The upcoming night of the BetMGM Premier League will take place in Berlin on March 26, featuring key matchups as Littler faces Bunting, and league leaders Creighton and Lock go head-to-head.
With 14 of the 16 quarterfinal matches played in tie order, the upcoming nights will promise increased suspense as the tournament progresses. Fans can stay tuned to watch Humphries defend his title against a competitive field leading up to the finals in May.
