Luke Littler has experienced just about everything darts has to offer over the past year, both on and off stage. But his quest for a maiden World Championship crown began with a new emotional challenge at Alexandra Palace.
The teen sensation headlined Saturday night’s lineup. Twelve months have passed since his incredible performance to his debut final, with pre-tournament favorite Littler getting off to a successful start to his campaign with a win over Suffolk’s Ryan Meikle.
The 3-1 result doesn’t tell the full story of Littler’s eventful opener. He was briefly at risk of a shock early exit before dominating the closing stages to set up a third round meeting with either European Championship winner Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White. .
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Luke Littler’s 100th checkout saw him take the opening set against Ryan Meikle at the World Darts Championship.
Littler pulled off his second nine-dart finish of the tournament in an outrageous fourth and final set, winning in just 32 darts for a record-breaking average of 140.91. The 17-year-old, meanwhile, was left in tears and hurt. After winning, we had a short on-stage interview.
“It was probably the hardest game I’ve ever played, but we have to get over the line,” Littler said at a press conference. “I don’t know where I got that last set, but I had to fight until the end.
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Luke Littler hit a perfect 8 darts but missed a 9-darter’s double 12 by millimeters!
“I was really nervous when I got on that stage, but I was able to find my game somewhere. I know I’m the favorite, but I have to focus on winning the first game and that’s what I did tonight.
“Like I said, it’s the worst game I’ve ever played. I’ve never felt like that before tonight.”
After Littler left the stage, he went straight to see his family.
Littler faces a long wait to return to the Alexandra Palace stage. His opening matches took place on Day 7 and Session 12 of this year’s tournament, giving the fourth seed more time to think about his expectations of winning the Sid Waddell Trophy.
“It was probably the first and biggest time that that (pressure) came to me.” Littler He told Sky Sports: “The first night in the Premier League, against Luke Humphries, I was nervous, but throughout the year, on the European tour and every major tournament I played, I was fine.”
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Luke Littler reflects on his early struggles and record-breaking finish in the opening round of the World Darts Championship.
“I got here and it was fine. As soon as (ref) George Noble said ‘game on,’ I couldn’t throw.”
He added: “It was a lot to take on (the pressure) but like I said, I was fine with going into the lead. As soon as George said ‘game on’ I couldn’t do it. I shouldn’t have done that in the first set. . But I won after the second break.”
Littler has already won the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts in 2024 and is expected to face defending champion Luke Humphries at the World Championships. view.
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For Luke Littler, it’s been a long time since his breakthrough performance at the World Championships at the age of 17 before he went on to win the Premier League. Let’s take a look at his amazing 2024
“I would never say I would win a world championship,” Littler explained. “I know almost every player has the ability to do it.
“I would never come here and say I’m going to beat everyone, especially after a game like that. You just have to focus on the next game.
Part: ‘New Experience’ for ‘Dart God’ Littler
Littler quickly rose to prominence in 2024, finishing second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year category and also being the most searched sportsman on Google in the UK. Don’t forget that he won 10 PDC titles in his first year as a pro.
“I don’t think anyone can understand how much pressure he’s putting on himself,” former world champion John Part said. told Sky Sports. “There may be a few people who have played the game who can understand it, but certainly no one has ever had to deal with it at that age.
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Luke Littler’s 100th checkout saw him take the opening set against Ryan Meikle at the World Darts Championship.
“I think the whole reality of what he did for the game, which started at last year’s World Championships, finally came crashing down on him after he won. I’m glad it wasn’t after the loss, because it didn’t seem like it would happen at all. After he finished the game. It was fair.
“He is the god of darts that so many people have been waiting for. It’s incredible for him. I think this is his first experience showing what a true professional career will be like at the World Championships.”
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