An “over the moon” Ryan Meikle believes all of the stress is on Luke Littler for his or her second-round match on the World Darts Championship on Saturday, including “I’ve got a chance”.
Meikle edged previous Fallon Sherrock of their first-round encounter on Tuesday night time, getting back from 1-0 right down to finally prevail 3-2.
The win units up a gathering with 17-year-old sensation and fourth seed Littler, in his first match again on the Alexandra Palace stage after bursting onto the scene along with his beautiful run to final yr’s last.
“For weeks now, since the draw come out, people have kept saying, ‘you might play Littler’,” Meikle stated.
“Social media and stuff, I used to be in every single place – I’ve by no means had a lot media consideration in my life, and it is not due to who I’m.
“Everybody wished a Littler-Fallon second spherical, which I can perceive – I understand how huge that might have been, I am not silly. However secretly, that gave me extra motivation.
“I am wanting ahead to enjoying him and I am fortunate to play him, particularly right here, the place all of it type of occurred for him.
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What a yr it has been for Littler, from his breakthrough on the World Championships as a 17-year-old to successful the Premier League title. We check out his superb 2024
“I’m not going to tell you I’m going to win, but I’ve got a chance, so you never know.”
Meikle will definitely want to enhance on his 83.53 common registered in his win over Sherrock if he’s to hassle Littler on Saturday, however says the stress is off – along with his opponent the heavy favorite.
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Sherrock took out 78 to storm into 1-0 lead earlier than Meikle mounted a comeback
“Tonight was a big one to get through,” Meikle stated. “Onto Saturday, there’s no pressure on me now.
“I am certain he’ll have lots of stress on him, clearly media-wise and the TV.
“I’m not looking to slow him down or do any sort of tactics. Hopefully I can just relax and play my best game.
“I do not assume he has any weaknesses, to be honest. I feel he is unbelievable.”
Sherrock was additionally burdened with the higher expectations when dealing with Meikle, but it surely’s now 4 consecutive years of first-round exits for her since her extraordinary, trailblazing third-round run on debut 5 years in the past.
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Sherrock turned the primary girl to defeat a person at a World Championship in 2019 with victory over Ted Evetts
“I’m very relieved to get over the line, it was a massive battle,” Meikle admitted.
“Fallon didn’t play like she did a few years ago, and I was expecting the best version of Fallon.
“She’s a large title, and what she has achieved for girls’s darts is unbelievable, however I am glad she did not play her finest, as a result of she most likely would have crushed me.
“Tour-wise, average-wise, I like to think I’m a better player, but you’ve got to go up there and show that. I don’t know if I did, but I hit a few doubles and got there in the end.”
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Have a look again on the night session of Day Three on the World Darts Championship
What’s subsequent?
We’ve got only one session of motion for you on Wednesday December 18, which you’ll watch dwell on Sky Sports activities Darts from 7pm.
Jim Williams takes on Paolo Nebrida and Madars Razma faces Christian Kist, whereas Ricky Evans performs Gordon Mathers earlier than Nathan Aspinall will get his event underneath method in opposition to Leonard Gates.
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely dwell till January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
