Luke Littler, the 17-year-old darts sensation, showcased his remarkable talent and resilience by overcoming Ryan Meikle 3-1 in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace on Saturday. After a shaky beginning, Littler dazzled the audience with record-breaking scoring, particularly during the decisive fourth set, confirming his status as one of the sport's rising stars.
The fight for the title intensified as Littler stepped onto the stage, where he began with determination but struggled initially to find his rhythm. The opening set was particularly grueling, going to all five legs before Littler secured it with a notable checkout of 100—consisting of hitting 20, followed by two doubles on the 20. This win seemed to calm his early nerves as he acknowledged the crowd, urging them to, "Relax, I'm here. Relax," as he found his footing.
Despite the promising start, Meikle was not ready to concede victory without challenge. The 28-year-old dart player came back fiercely, immediately breaking Littler's throw at the start of the second set and continuing strong to level the match 1-1 after clinching it with double 12, which he had previously struggled with.
It was the third set where Littler began to reclaim his dominance. Once he broke back to take the lead at 2-1, the momentum decidedly shifted in his favor. The crowd erupted as Littler's confidence surged, and he displayed spectacular shots. The highlight came during the fourth set, where he produced dazzling play, averaging 140.91—the highest single-set average recorded at this championship.
Notably, Littler hit four maximum 180s within these legs, demonstrating extraordinary accuracy and precision. His closing leg included stunning darts of 10 and 11, putting Meikle's hopes of upset firmly to rest. The teenager’s commanding style left no doubt as he finished with back-to-back 180s, showcasing his powerful throwing arm.
"It was probably the toughest game I've ever played. I had to fight until the end," Littler reflected during his post-match interview, where emotions clearly overwhelmed him, leading to him stepping away momentarily to gather his thoughts. The young star is not simply content with reaching the second round; he aims to claim the world title this year after narrowly missing out last season.
Set to face either Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White next, Littler is poised to go all the way. Already, he's captivated audiences with his performance—a blend of skill, strategy, and thrill. With every match, he adds to his growing legacy, as he emerges not just as the face of youth but as the next big thing in darts.
Littler's impressive performance continues to echo beyond the throwing line, maintaining his status as the tournament's highest-searched athlete on Google, as fans revel in his backstory and potential. After last year's near-miss in the finals, expectations are immense—yet the teenager continues to rise to the occasion, promising to bring back more excitement to the sport.
With the 2024 PDC World Darts Championship now underway, fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating how far Littler will go. Each dart thrown and every match played is watched closely, as 'The Nuke' propels himself toward not only the title of world champion but possibly the future face of darts itself.
The sky seems to be the limit for Littler at the PDC World Darts Championship 2024-2025, and with performances like these, it won't be long before he becomes synonymous with the sport's brightest moments.
