Players Championship Finals: Luke Littler wins the first title by defeating Nathan Aspinall

World number one Luke Littler claimed his maiden Players Championship Finals title with an 11-8 win over fellow Englishman Nathan Aspinall in Minehead.

The 18-year-old, who lost in last year’s final to Luke Humphries, added a new title to his locker just a week after lifting the Grand Slam of Darts title in Wolverhampton and becoming world number one for the first time.

Aspinall fought hard in the deciding set, cutting the deficit to 9-8 at one stage by winning four of the five matches, but Littler held on and reeled off 88 points to secure his sixth televised title.

“I’m very proud to have this one on the list – there’s only two more left now,” Littler told ITV after the win.

The only trophies missing from Littler’s collection now are the European Championship and World Masters Championship.

Littler averaged 103.33 to Aspinall’s 93.64 in Sunday’s final despite his opponent throwing a maximum of seven 180s – one more than the winner.

“It was not easy to reach this final at all,” he said.

“[Aspinall] He’s been playing really well for a good few weeks now and I had to dig in at the end there. I’m glad I got the job done.

“Earlier in my career, I was just trying to be myself but now I’m starting to express a little bit of my emotions. I’m looking forward to the big event next month.”

Earlier in the day, Littler beat Chris Dobbie 10-5 in the round of 16 before beating Welsh top seed and former world champion Gerwyn Price 11-8 to book his place in the final.

Meanwhile, Aspinall reached his seventh major final, defeating Dutchman Jermaine Watimena 11-2.

“I don’t know how [Littler] “He has that energy,” Aspinall said.

“It’s unbelievable. What he did in this match is unbelievable and I was happy to share that stage with him.”