Luke Littler left baffled by World Darts Championship opponent’s pre-match claim ahead of Ally Pally last-16 clash: ‘Not good for his game’
Luke Littler has suggested that Ryan Joyce’s comments are ‘not really good for his game’ ahead of their last-16 clash at the World Darts Championship.
The 17-year-old, who is the favourite to win the tournament in his second year of competing after losing to Luke Humphries in the final on debut last year, reached the last-16 with a 4-1 win over Ian White at Ally Pally.
He was made to work for it at times, with White missing set darts in two of the four sets he lost and Littler appearing to struggle on his doubles.
He hit 12 180s in the game and logged a 97.84 average against the Diamond and will now face Joyce, who impressed on the doubles in his narrow win over Ryan Searle on Saturday.
Joyce had talked down his chances of victory in the game, despite his impressive run so far, saying: ‘I haven’t got the scoring power consistency to compete with Luke Littler, but I can hit the doubles.’
Littler, though, urged his opponent to believe in himself more, insisting that he would have more of a chance if he did so.
Luke Littler has suggested his World Darts Championship opponent’s comment’s are ‘not good for his game’
Ryan Joyce, the teenager’s next opponent, said he has not ‘got the scoring power consistency to compete’
Littler got the better of Ian White in his third round clash at Ally Pally on Saturday night
‘Didn’t know he said that,’ he said. ‘If that’s what he’s thinking it’s not really good for his game.
‘I’ve just got to focus on my game and it’s all about what happens on the day.’
Littler checked out just 35.14 per cent of his doubles against White, and often found himself chasing them round the board as he missed double 20 or his favourite double 10.
He has become somewhat synonymous with double 10 throughout his short pro tour career, but joked to Sky Sports after his win that he ‘didn’t like’ his trusty finish or double 20, and they didn’t like him back.
He said: ‘It was tough. Ian threw everything at me. If I hit a 180, he would hit back with one, too. I had to stay switched on.
‘I didn’t have nerves. I had to settle in quickly. The first set was OK. The second set after the first break, I was up for it.
‘At 3-1, the 70 was massive. I don’t think double 10 or double 20 like me – and I don’t like them.
‘The crowd were good for me and Ian. If they chant Ian White’s name, I will hit a 180. I know I have got to hit those doubles, 35 per cent tonight won’t get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles.’
He is expected to meet Luke Humphries in the semi-final, which would see the two favourites battle it out
Littler is expected to face Humphries in the semi-final if the tournament goes as expected, which would be the latest edition of a rivalry that has taken darts by storm in the last 12 months.
When he overcame Meikle in the last round, he confirmed that victory via the greatest leg ever seen at Ally Pally with a record-breaking average of 140.91. That included two 11-darters and one 10-darter, though then followed a reminder of his youthful fragility when the teenager broke down in tears as his live interview was abandoned.
Yet Littler showed few signs of the pressure as tournament favourite getting to him this time. Before his big entrance, Littler was even singing along to his opponent’s walk-on tune – Play That Funky Music – as he waited for his turn on the catwalk.
After criticising his own performance in the last round, he looked close to his best on Saturday as his parents cheered him on from the crowd. He will return to action on Monday in the afternoon session.
