Michael van Gerwen earned a classic 6-5 win over 18-year-old world champion Luke Littler on the first night of the Premier League of Darts in Belfast.

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Littler destroyed the Dutchman in the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace last month to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.

Luke Littler has congratulated Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-old lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday. The teenager had entered the showdown hoping to lay down a marker as he looks to win the competition for the second year on the trot.

Littler had overslept during a morning nap and kept Van Gerwen and the six other competitors waiting at the media launch of the new campaign, which kicks off at the SSE Arena on T

Luke Humphries wins opening night after Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler in epic - Littler beaten despite huge average before Humphries marches past Chris Dobey in final