Luke Littler is into the third round of the World Darts Championship (Picture: Getty)
Luke Littler will be back in action at the PDC World Darts Championship after Christmas following an emotional second-round win.
Back at the Alexandra Palace for the first time since his sensational run to the final on debut last year, the teenage sensation made a winning start against Ryan Meikle.
Littler, the pre-tournament favourite, started slowly and was in danger of a shock early exit but dominated the closing stages of his opening match in front of a packed audience to win 3-1.
‘The Nuke’ finished the game off in style, almost conjuring up a nine-darter in the fourth set which he won in just 32 darts and with a record-breaking 140.91 average.
After his victory, Littler was visibly emotional and walked of stage midway through his post-match interview, later revealing that nerves had gotten the best of him for most of the match.
‘It’s the worst game I’ve played,’ Littler later said. ‘I’ve never felt anything like that tonight.
‘It was a weird feeling. It’s the biggest stage out there, the last tournament of the calendar year, and I had to somehow get over the line and I’m happy I did.
Luke Littler came through against Ryan Meikle in the second round (Picture: Getty)
‘That last set, I don’t know where I pulled it from. I drank my water, said to Abi (Davies, his interviewer on stage) I was OK, then as soon as the question came, boom, tears.
‘I was like, ‘What are you doing?’ – it was just a bit too much to try to speak on stage after that, and I had to somehow get over the line and I’m happy I did.
Littler will now return home for Christmas before his third round, where he will hope to return to his cool and composed best as he resumes his bid to become the youngest-ever world champion.
When is Luke Littler playing next at the World Darts Championship?
Littler will return to the PDC World Darts Championship 2025 after Christmas for his third-round match which will take place from 7pm on Saturday, 28 December 2024.
The World No.4 will face off against Ian White who impressed in beating European Champion Ritchie Edhouse 3-1 in the second round.
How to watch Luke Littler play at the World Darts Championship on TV
As ever Sky Sports will be showing all the action from Alexandra Palace from 15 December until the final on 3 January.
Viewers can also tune in online via Sky Go.
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