Luke Littler shows true colours with Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld U-turn

Luke Littler continued his growth as one of darts' best over the weekend by winning the World Series of Darts Finals in the Netherlands.

The 17-year-old was top seed for the tournament after wins in Bahrain and Poland. He made it a hat-trick of successes in Amsterdam by defeatingMichael Smith on Sunday and averaged 102.21.

Littler also overcame Michael van Gerwen (11-4) and Raymond van Barneveld, as well as Chris Dobey (10-7) and Peter Wright, to secure the £80,000 top prize. "I'm just happy to be stood here with the trophy at the end of a long day," he said.

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"I felt relaxed tonight and I played really well across the whole weekend. This time last year I was playing on the Development Tour. My name was getting mentioned but at the World Championship everyone knew who I was.

"I'm going to keep building on this and winning more. It's a busy schedule coming up and I'm ready for it." Asked if he is currently the best darts player in the world, Littler said: "Probably over this weekend.

"To average 103 over four or five matches, it has been really good and I'm proud of myself."

After his success in Europe, Litter admitted that he no longer idolises Van Gerwen and Van Barneveld. The Manchester United fan, who grew up in Warrington, previously declared his admiration for the two, calling them his childhood idols.

"I wouldn't say I look up to them as I'm playing with them now," Littler said. "I used to look up to them and now I'm beating them."