Luke Littler has stoked his growing rivalry with Luke Humphries by admitting he was fully focused on ending the world No 1's winning streak in the Premier League.
The teenager claims he was more motivated to beat Humphries in Thursday's quarter-final than actually succeeding in the competition itself.
Littler picked up his first nightly win in the Premier League in Belfast to propel himself up to second in the table.
He overcame Humphries in the first game of the night before beating Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final and Nathan Aspinall in the final.
Luke Littler has stoked his rivalry with Premier League darts star Luke Humphries
YouTube/Online Darts
Humphries had won the last three nights to move himself clear of the chasing pack and therefore was on a winning run of night matches before facing Littler.
The pair famously first met at the World Darts Championship final at Alexandra Palace in early January.
Humphries came out on top on that occasion, winning 7-4 to end Littler's hopes of a record-breaking win at the final hurdle.
They had met on three occasions since then before Thursday, with Littler winning each match.
And he made it four wins in a row over Humphries when he won the deciding leg to secure a 6-5 victory.
Speaking on the stage afterwards, Littler revealed he had practised a lot more in the build-up to the match.
And in his press conference, he admitted he was extra motivated to put an end to Humphries' winning run.
Littler said: "It was just good to beat Luke, get my two points and end his streak.
"But like I've said tonight, I've not really practised as much as I have been. It's paid off and I've come out the winner."
Littler was then asked if it helped focus him that he was playing against the most in-form player in the competition.
And he admitted getting one over Humphries was more motivation than the Premier League itself.
Littler replied: "It focused me more than the Premier League. Like I said I've practised more than I have been doing and it's paid off."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Luke Littler sends five-word response to girlfriend after darts star wins Premier League night - 'Told you'
- Luke Littler leaves darts legend in awe as teen makes statement to Premier League rivals - 'It's madness'
- Snooker star gives honest verdict on Ronnie O'Sullivan after Rocket replaced - 'I didn't expect that'
Luke Littler beat Luke Humphries for the fourth time in a row on Thursday
PA
Humphries failed to pick up a point on Thursday but is still four clear of the 17-year-old at the top of the table.
Littler says he knew the importance of picking up a nightly win, which is used as a tie-breaker if players are on the same points.
He said: "I know the situation between fourth and fifth. Same points and if one's won more nights than the other then they'll go through.
"But it's not on my mind, I know that's there. But winning this has put a huge gap between me in second, and fifth and sixth. Nath tonight has done well and puts us second and third by two, three points.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have a healthy rivalry on the darts stage
PA
"I just knew that we've all got the same points but Smithy and Nath have won a night. So I was just like 'let's win the first one and see what we can do'.
"You can say that [it's a relief] but it was just a case of putting the work in.
"Because usually when I win the first game I don't practice until the semis and then you see a 106 [average] drop to a 90. But I've put the effort in and I've stayed high tonight."
