Luke Littler suggests World Darts Championship opponent's pre-match claims are 'not good for his game' ahead of Ally Pally last-16 clash
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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.
![[Ryan Joyce, the teenager's next opponent, said he has not 'got the scoring power consistency to compete']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/09/93554757-0-image-a-11_1735465593191.jpg)
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.
![[Littler got the better of Ian White in his third round clash at Ally Pally on Saturday night]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/09/93554765-0-image-m-14_1735465813491.jpg)
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.
![[He is expected to meet Luke Humphries in the semi-final, which would see the two favourites battle it out]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/29/09/93554697-0-image-a-12_1735465620413.jpg)
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.
