Luke Littler battles through nerves to keep World Darts Championship dream alive
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Luke Littler produced a gutsy performance to see off a determined challenge from Ian White to reach the last-16 at the World Darts Championship. Littler is attempting to go one better than his magnificent run to the final last year, but has the added pressure of expectation this time around. The old adage that there are no easy matches at this level came true on Saturday night at Alexandra Palace as White pushed him hard.
In the end, Littler came good when it mattered, nailing the doubles his opponent missed, along with 12 180s, in a high-scoring match to book a match against Ryan Joyce in the next round. It was far from vintage Littler in a nervy first set, but he still took a 1-0 lead after his veteran opponent missed a dart at double top to take the opener. The youngster appeared to be clicking into gear, with the 180s rolling, but the understated White stuck in there and levelled at 1-1.
The Nuke really did click into gear in the third set, rattling off a 13-darter, a 14-darter, and 12-darter - with a bullseye finish - to go 2-1 up and take control. White fought hard in the fourth set but once again a costly miss at double top left the door open for Littler, who clinched it with his favourite double 10 to go 3-1 up.
The teenager's relaxed demeanour on stage and crowd interaction faded into the background as the match wore on to be replaced by his determined game face. He missed a shot at bullseye for a 170 check-out, but he cleaned up with double 10 to get it done.
Littler's nerves shouldn't have been a surprise, given the nature of his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the previous round. "It was tough. Ian threw everything at me. If I hit a 180, he hit a 180 so I always had to stay switched on," he told Sky Sports this time. "I wouldn't say there were nerves, it was a case of settling in quick. First set was OK then the second but after the first break I was really up for it.".
