World Darts Championship LIVE RESULTS: Action on SOON after Luke Littler broke down in TEARS following huge win – latest
THE World Darts Championship action is expected to bring even more drama today after Luke Littler broke down in TEARS following his opening win.
The teen sensation Littler, 17, started his darts campaign with a superb win over Ryan Meikle - but then had to cut short an interview after becoming emotional at the support he'd been shown.
Elsewhere, former world champion Raymond van Barneveld CRASHED OUT against Welshman Nick Kenny, while Littler rival Damon Heta went through.
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- TV channel: Sky Sports Darts
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What is the World Darts Championship format?
It will be the best of five sets in the first and second rounds of the tournament.
As the rounds progress, matches go to best of seven, then nine before reaching best of 11.
While the final will be the best of 13 sets.
The 32 highest-ranking darts players have already automatically qualified for the second round.
When will Littler play next?
After his incredible win last night, Littler has progressed to the third round of the World Darts Championship.
Third round games are expected to kick off post-Christmas. However, Littler's opponent is yet to be determined.
Depending on the outcome of today's second round, Littler will face against either Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White.
A narrow miss
Credit: Reuters The teen sensation put up an incredible 141 set average in the final set, narrowly missing out on two nine-darters to book his spot on the Ally Pally stage post-Christmas.
A look at Littler's Game
Credit: PA Littler got off to a slow start but managed to steal the first set by breaking Meikle's throw in the fifth leg.
He then exchanged sets with the barber from Suffolk before unleashing an incredible display to set Ally Pally alight.
First he hit back-to-back one 180s to set up the chance of a nine-darter, but fell short and had to settle for an 11-darter.
But he followed that up by repeating his 180 trick, found the target with his next two darts before his ninth finished millimetres away of double 12.
The third leg followed in a similar vein to confirm Littler's progression to the next round.
Fans' reactions
One fan wrote online: "Luke Littler single handedly ruining how the 9 darter is viewed. Used to be a rarity and now we see him threaten them every game."
Another person said: "Nobody gives you the joy on a dart board that littler does. When the kid is on he is juts unreal and so entertaining to watch."
A third fan wrote: "He's literally got the whole darting world on his shoulders he single handedly took darts to another level."
Littler's celebration
Luke Littler channeled his inner Cristiano Ronaldo after winning his first set of the PDC World Darts Championship.
The teenager got off to a shaky start in the opening exchanges against Ryan Meikle before pulling it back to win the leg, celebrating using Ronaldo's famous "Calma" celebration.
Fiery Luke Littler, 17, in four-word scream at World Darts Championship crowd as he copies Ronaldo celebrationEmotional moment
THIS is the moment Luke Littler couldn't hold back his tears and ran into his parents arms.
Luke Littler, 17, breaks down in tears live on TV and forced to cut interview short after World Darts Championship winLittle cry
Luke Littler broke down in his parents' arms at the end of his first win back at Ally Pally.
The teen sensation overcame a slow start to beat Ryan Meikle after averaging 140.91 to produce the best set of darts ever seen in the World Darts Championship.
The world number four took some time to compose himself but the interview did not restart.
Instead Littler walked over to his parents Lisa and Anthony Buckley and buried his face in their arms.
Sunday's sessions
Tearful Littler
LUKE LITTLER broke down in tears and cut short a TV interview due to emotion – after he almost hit his first Ally Pally nine-darter.
The Nuke was so overcome by what he had done following his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the second round of the PDC World Darts Championship that he was lost for words.
Minutes after he had missed out on achieving the perfect leg in the fourth set, the tournament favourite was put in front of the Sky Sports camera.
Littler, 17, said “I started off dead slow…” to reporter Abigail Davies but then stopped talking and had to walk away to wipe away his tears.
Credit: Reuters Saturday's results
Afternoon Session
First round
Karel Sedlacek 0-3 Rhys Griffin
Richard Veenstra 0-3 Alexis Toylo
Second round
Brendan Dolan 3-0 Lok Yin Lee
Chris Dobey 3-1 Alexander Merkx
Evening Session
Second round
Danny Noppert 1-3 Ryan Joyce
Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 Nick Kenny
Luke Littler 3-1 Ryan Meikle
Damon Heta 3-1 Connor Scutt
Part on Littler's pressure
Darts legend John Part has spoken about the pressure on Luke Littler's shoulders, ahead of his World Darts Championship win.
He told Sky Sports:
I don't think anyone can understand the pressure he's under. Certainly nobody has had to deal with it at his age.
"I'm sure there's so much relief for him. He can control that emotion and if he needs that time to himself after, then that's fine."
Littler reaction
Littler revealed his struggles to overcome his nerves.
It's probably the first time it's hit me.
"I needed [the last set] quite a lot. I don't even want to remember it. No offence to Ryan. I'm going to try and get it out of my head.
"It's been a lot to deal with. When [referee] George Noble said 'game on' I couldn't do it."
Game stats
Heta apologises
Brilliant Hela apologised to the crowd for missing the nine darter.
It was eight perfect darts, but what did it matter.
He wins the match 3-1. Excellent stuff.
Brilliant from Heta!
Heta was on a nine darter!
He has swept Scutt in this fourth set 3-0.
Pick of the bunch in leg 2 was an 11 dart break.
Heta 3-2 Scutt (2-1)
Heta regains his composure to take the set!
Scutt's sixth 180 of the match made little to no difference.
A miss on the bullseye doesn't help.
Heta sinks the treble 20 and double eight and it's 2-1.
Heta 2-2 Scutt (1-1)
And Scutt's level!
Who would've seen this five minutes ago.
Heta wired double 9, allowing Scutt to nail the double 4.
Heta 2-1 Scutt
Scutt's broken the rut.
But Heta had the chance to win it - and busted 72.
Heta 2-0 Scutt (1-1)
A 110 checkout from Heta!
That's sublime, and much needed.
Three ton plus finishes in a row from Heta, and he's unstoppable.
Heta 1-0 Scutt (1-1)
And Fire starts the third leg as he finished the second.
But it looked so good for Scutt who found a 180 out of nowhere.
Heta nails double 18 and it's a break of throw.
Heta 3-0 Scutt (1-1)
And there it is!
We're level!
A 180, followed by a 140 for Heta and the Fire has caught fire.
He took out 116.
Heta 2-0 Scutt
120 checkout from Heta!
Amazing stuff from the Aussie, and he'll throw for the set.
Brilliant break there.
Heta 1-0 Scutt (0-1)
Scutt might be outscoring Heta, who has a 98 average.
But Heta's maximum puts him in the driving seat.
Double 4 and it's the leg.
Heta 2-3 Scutt
Brilliant from the Sniper.
He nails 99 to set up 65.
He pins the bullseye - a total error.
But, Scutt lands the double 6 to get over the line and win the first set.