Luke Littler defeated Mensur Suljovic 4-0 in the third round as Stephen Bunting was knocked out of the World Darts Championship by James Hurrell.
Littler lost just three shots en route to the second-highest average of the tournament at 107.09, behind Gian van Veen’s 108.28, and sent a warning message to the rest of the field.
World number one Littler will face either Damon Heta or Rob Cross in the fourth round, and he showed why many think he will become the first man to defend his title since Gary Anderson 10 years ago.
“I’m very happy. It was a good finish. I don’t think I’ve ever seen 71 percent (checkout percentage) in my PDC career,” Littler said. sky sports.
“I’m happy with that. I felt really settled tonight. I matched Mensur’s pace and got into a rhythm that suited him. It was a little slower than usual, but it worked out well.
“That’s the best I’ve felt this year, or even last year or in previous tournaments. That’s what I’m most satisfied with. On average, finishing with a ton plus checkout.”
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Mensur Suljovic electrified the crowd when Luke Littler missed his double and capitalized to take the leg!
Littler quickly adapted to Suljovic’s slow play, which had irritated Joe Cullen in previous rounds, breaking his opponent twice to win the first set with a brilliant 11-darter.
That form continued into the second set, where he averaged 108 and left Suljovic wondering what he could do. The Austrian spent his third moment encouraging the crowd before hitting his first double dart to break Littler’s throw.
The next two legs were shared so the set went to a deciding leg which Littler won with a 124 checkout, the highest of the match. He continued his lead in the fourth set at 114 and is yet to concede a set at Alexandra Palace in this tournament.
“It’s another round and we’ll be back in a few days,” Littler said.
“The first year was an absolute privilege to come here and play darts and make it to the final. Last year was different. This year you are the reigning champion and world number one and the pressure is on you. There was no pressure or nerves tonight and I am happy with the result.”
Bunting knocked out by Hurrell.
World number four Bunting became the highest seeded player to fall in this year’s tournament after being stunned 4-3 by Hurrell.
Hurrell was the much better player throughout the match and could have whitewashed Bunting if not for two superb 161 and 121 checkouts to decide the legs at the end of the second and third sets.
Bunting, who seemed to have a cold, was down 2-0 in the second set, but showed his fighting spirit to take a 2-1 lead in the set.
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Stephen Bunting confirmed a brilliant 161 to level the scores against James Hurrell.
But Hurrell won five of the next six legs and quickly took a 3-2 lead after Bunting’s runs fell. He pitched in the sixth set, but his legs were in poor condition, allowing Bunting to take the match to a deciding set with 14 darters.
But Hurrell broke Bunting’s throw in the penultimate leg of the final set and held his nerve at the second ask for another 14-darter to book a place in the last 16 against Germany’s Martin Schindler or Britain’s Ryan Searle.
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James Hurrell beats Stephen Bunting to reach round of 16 of World Darts Championship
“It’s amazing, it’s the biggest win of my career,” said Hurrell, making his second appearance for Alexandra Palace.
“I knew how my game went into the game, I just needed to clean up my doubles a little bit.
“Stephen (sometimes) celebrated like he won the game and I handled it well. I felt pretty happy when he left his family and friends to do big things.”
Clayton and Ratajski won Ally Pally crackers while Woodhouse had an impressive result.
Johnny Clayton He averaged 98.44, hit 11 maximums and hit 47% of his doubles (14 of 30) to beat dangerous Dutchman Niels Zonneveld 4-3.
Clayton said sky sports: “It was 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2 and I thought, ‘Nils, please let me win.’
“I’m watching all the results, and I’ve seen one disappear and another disappear, so this is my chance. It gives me hope that I can do it, and I feel good every time I go on stage.
“There were a lot of loose darts. We need to get rid of them. The more two-treble visits we get, the more opportunities we have.”
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Andreas Harrysson makes 146 to see off Ricardo Pietreczko at Alexandra Palace.
Clayton will face Swedish debutant Andreas Harrison He continued his impressive form with a 4-2 win over Ricardo Pietreczko.
Krzysztof Ratajski The Dutchman wasted three match darts to get past Gerwyn Price’s conqueror Wesley Plaisier who was 3-1 down.
‘The Polish Eagle’ sealed the deal with an average of 98, six strokes for 180 and four incredible checkouts (152, 127, 117 and 116).
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Krzysztof Ratajski pulls off a 116 checkout to beat Wesley Plaisier after being down 3-1 in the set!
Towering Dutchman Plaisier shocked the all-rounder world with a whitewash win over ninth seed Price, with the Welshman previously seen as the favorite to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy.
However, Ratajski made a superb comeback with some clutch finishes and his second 10-dart leg of the tournament.
Ratajski will return to the round of 16 for the second time in his career. Luke WoodhouseHe beat former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding 4–1.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live exclusively until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky Channel 407). Stream darts and other top sports with NOW.
