Luke Littler to face TRUCK DRIVER in opening round of New Zealand Darts Masters as he vows to end trip ‘with a bang’

LUKE LITTLER has vowed to overcome sleep issues to end his first trip Down Under with a BANG.

The teen sensation has drawn Kiwi truck driver Jonny Tata in the first round of the New Zealand Masters in Hamilton tomorrow.

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Littler, 17, was smashed 8-1 by Gerwyn Price in last week’s Aussie Masters final and wants to deal with his tiredness to go one better this weekend.

He said: “It’s been a great experience coming to Australia and New Zealand and meeting all the fans.

“I’ve struggled to adjust my sleeping pattern so I’ve felt a bit tired at times, but I’ll be well rested for Friday.

“I want to end the trip with a bang and hopefully go one better than last week.”

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Meanwhile, world champion Luke Humphries has been drawn against the ‘Smiling Assassin’ Kayden Milne.

But Hump is hoping that a BREEZE won’t scupper his hopes this time.

He said: “Obviously last week didn’t go to plan, there was a bit of a breeze on stage and that affected my long darts.

“The World Series hasn’t gone to plan for me so far, so I am hungry to win a title and I’d love it to be here in New Zealand.

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“It’s been an amazing trip so far. 

“Coming to the other side of the world with my dad is a dream for both of us and we’ve made some great memories.

“It’s a long way home and I’d love to be travelling back with the title ahead of a busy back end to the year.”

Aussie winner Price faces top home star Ben Robb while Peter Wright takes on Daniel Snookes. 

Rob Cross drew Haupai Puha for the second week in succession and Aussies Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock go head-to-head.

Inside Littler's massive rise

LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.

The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age - smashing records along the way.

He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.

And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.

The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.

He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.

And he's even the face of a brand new cereal.

The wonderkid has now cemented his place among the tungsten elite by winning the Premier League Darts final - and the £275k top prize.

Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.