Luke Littler holds nerve to edge out Ryan Joyce and book quarter-final spot
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Luke Littler came through an exacting test of his credentials as favourite for the World Darts Championship with a tense 4-3 victory over Ryan Joyce to book a place in the quarter-final. Expectation on last year’s runner-up was ramped up following defending champion Luke Humphries’ surprise exit and the 17-year-old had to withstand intense pressure at Alexandra Palace.
His class showed when it was needed most as he averaged 111 in the final set, having hit 14 180s in the match. “I think I went into 10th gear – I had to. I had to dig deep,” he told Sky Sports after setting up a last-eight meeting with Nathan Aspinall.
“I just wanted him to miss. I had a lot of chances at doubles, but I’m happy to win. “I wouldn’t say I was nervous, it was more adrenaline. But I said in that last leg, ‘Hold your own for once in a game at least’.”. Littler began the night with two maximums on his first visit to the oche for each of the opening two legs as he cruised to the first set, although his inability to hit doubles saw him lose the second.
From there the match swung one way and then the other as Joyce refused to buckle and, when he levelled things up at 2-2, Littler upped his game to squeeze into the next round. I think I went into 10th gear – I had to dig deep. A vintage Michael van Gerwen performance saw the three-time champion produce some ominous form as he averaged 102 in his up-and-down 4-2 win over Jeffrey de Graaf.
The Dutchman, whose last title came in 2019, took the first set in just seven minutes, but after doubling his lead he lost his way as De Graaf, who shocked Gary Anderson in the second round, found his form to win six of the next seven legs and level things up at 2-2.
