Luke Littler has skilled virtually every thing there may be in darts over the previous 12 months – each on and off the stage – though his quest for a maiden World Championship crown started with new emotional challenges on the Alexandra Palace.
The teenage sensation was the headline title in Saturday night’s line-up, 12 months on from his outstanding run to the ultimate on debut, with Littler – the pre-tournament favorite – opening his marketing campaign with success over Suffolk’s Ryan Meikle.
A 3-1 outcome fails to inform the complete story of Littler’s eventful opener, the place he briefly appeared at risk of a shock early exit earlier than dominating the closing levels to arrange a third-round assembly with both European Championship winner Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White.
Littler got here millimetres from firing the second nine-dart end of the event throughout a ridiculous fourth and closing set, gained in simply 32 darts and with a surprising record-breaking 140.91 common, whereas the 17-year-old was diminished to tears and reducing quick his on-stage interview after his victory.
“That was probably the toughest game I’ve ever played, but you’ve got to get over the line,” Littler stated in his press convention. “I do not know the place I pulled that final set from, however I simply needed to combat till the tip.
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Luke Littler hit eight excellent darts earlier than lacking double 12 for the nine-darter by a matter of millimetres!
“After I received on that stage I felt actually nervous, however I managed to search out my recreation from someplace. I do know I’m the favorite, however you need to deal with successful your first recreation, and that is what I did tonight.
“Like I said, it’s the worst game I’ve played. I’ve never felt anything like that tonight.”
Littler went to see his household instantly after leaving the stage
Littler confronted a protracted wait to return to the Alexandra Palace stage, his opening fixture approaching day seven and within the twelfth session of this 12 months’s event, giving the fourth seed extra time to replicate on the expectation for him to win the Sid Waddell Trophy.
“It’s probably the first and the biggest time it [pressure] has hit me,” Littler informed Sky Sports activities. “The Premier League, first night time towards Luke Humphries, I used to be nervous then, however all year long – all of the European excursions, all of the majors I’ve performed – I have been wonderful.
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Luke Littler displays on his early struggles and record-breaking end in his World Darts Championship opener
“Coming here, leading up to it, fine. As soon as George Noble [referee] said ‘game on’, I was just like – couldn’t throw them.”
He added: “[Pressure] been a lot to deal with, but like I said, leading up was fine. As soon as George says ‘game on’, I just couldn’t do it. First set, I shouldn’t have won it, but I did. Then after that second break you’ve just got to drag yourself over the line. “
Littler has already gained the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts in 2024 and is anticipated to battle it out with defending champion Luke Humphries for the World Championship, with each in the identical half of the draw, though is refusing to get carried away concerning the prospect.
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What a 12 months it has been for Luke Littler, from his breakthrough on the World Championships as a 17 12 months outdated to successful the Premier League title. We check out his superb 2024
“I’ll never say I’m going to win the World Championship,” Littler defined. “I know nearly every player has got it in them to do it.
“I am going to by no means come right here, after a recreation particularly like that, and say I am simply going to beat everybody. You’ve got simply received to deal with the following recreation.
Half: ‘New experiences’ for ‘darts god’ Littler
Littler has quickly turn out to be a family title in 2024, ending second within the BBC Sports activities Character of the Yr and likewise essentially the most searched sportsman on Google within the UK, not forgetting the ten PDC titles in his first full 12 months as knowledgeable.
“I don’t think anyone can understand how much pressure he has on him,” former world champion John Half informed Sky Sports activities. “There may be a number of those that performed the sport that may perceive it, however definitely nobody’s ever needed to cope with it at his age.
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Luke Littler’s 100 checkout noticed him take the opening set towards Ryan Meikle on the World Darts Championship
“I think the whole reality of what he’s done for the game that started at last year’s World Championship finally kind of came crashing down on him after winning. It’s great that it wasn’t after a loss, because it just wouldn’t even seem fair after all he’s done for the game.
“He’s the darts god in lots of people’s eyes that they have been ready for. That is a lot to dwell as much as for him. I simply suppose this was the primary expertise of what his actual skilled profession is at World Championships.”
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