Luke Littler taken aback by next opponent's comments: 'Not good for his game'
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Luke Littler admits Ryan Joyce's comments before their meeting on Monday are "not really good for his game". The teenage sensation is the favourite to take out the title at the World Darts Championship and overcame Ian White at the weekend. Littler will be expected to take out Joyce, who confessed he doesn't think the 17-year-old even needs to be at his best to secure victory.
Littler was unaware that his opponent had made such comments, which may appear to take the pressure off him, but the youngster was still surprised Joyce had talked down his chances. He said: "Didn't know he said that. 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 made it through to the fourth round at Alexandra Palace after overcoming another tough test - eventually seeing off White 4-1. The pre-tournament favourite came through a tight opening set but lost the second to White, who missed darts to win three of the first four sets as a famous upset passed him by. Littler posted a 97.84 average and hit 12 maximums against White.
He told Sky Sports: "It was tough. Ian threw everything at me. If I hit a 180, he hit back with a 180 so I had to stay switched on. It was just a case of settling in quick. The first set was OK. But after the first break I was really up for it. I don't think D10 liked me tonight and I didn't like them! I was thinking of switching up to D18 or D16 but I stuck at the doubles I know and D10 got me home.".
