Luke Littler put on a record-breaking performance as he beat Ryan Meikle 3-1 to progress to the Third Round of the PDC World Darts Championship.
The 17-year old was playing in Ally Pally just 12-months on from his breakthrough performance in the Worlds last year, which led to a break-out year which ended with the Warrington-native finishing second in the BBC Sport Personality of the Year awards.
Littler was visibly emotional as he made his first entrance of this year's Championships as he received a rapturous applause from the crowd.
Luke Littler is BACK 🤩 pic.twitter.com/eXW13mGn7G
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 21, 2024
The emotions may have gotten the better of Littler in the opening set as he wasn't his usual clinical self. He left Meikle with two chances to take the opening set but he didn't take it as Littler finished the opening set in style with a tops-tops finish to take the first set.
TOPS, TOPS 🔥
What a way to seal the first set for Luke Littler 👏 pic.twitter.com/oJgqnKli6l
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 21, 2024
The two exchanged the second and third sets before Littler showed why he's one of the favourites to win the whole tournament with a record-breaking fourth set performance.
Littler broke a new record for highest set average in the World Championships by averaging 140.91 in the fourth set, winning it in just 32 darts while also coming agonisingly close to a 9-darts finish as he was a whisker away from double-12.
Luke Littler falls agonisingly close to a nine-darter 😱 pic.twitter.com/9ZAwsdcK29
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) December 21, 2024
After the win Littler was emotional in his post-match interview on stage and was videoed embracing his parents who were in attendance as he walked off the stage.
Luke Littler heads straight to his parents as tears flow at Ally Pally 😢❤️ pic.twitter.com/0eQwbavMrE
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) December 21, 2024
Speaking in a press conference afterwards, Littler spoke about how his emotions affected him in the beginning.
Yeah it was probably the toughest game I've played. But as a player you've got to get off the line.
It's the worst game I've played. Might even be on top of the Premier League in Cardiff against Luke Humphries because that was a nervy one. I've never felt anything like that tonight.
Littler is now slated to make his next Ally Pally appearance after Christmas as he faces the winner of Sunday's Ritchie Edhouse/Ian White match.
