Luke Littler says “all eyes” are on him at the World Darts Championships, while John Part feels the teenager showed he is not “invincible” after being tested by Ryan Joyce.
Littler went from title favorite through rigorous scrutiny of his credentials With a tense 4-3 win over Joyce on New Year’s Eve to reserve a ticket to the quarter-finals.
Expectations for last year’s runners-up rose after the surprise withdrawal of defending champion Luke Humphreys, and the 17-year-old faced intense pressure at Alexandra Palace.
His class showed when it was needed most as he averaged 111 points in the final set, hitting 14 180s in the match.
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Highlights from Littler’s fourth-round encounter with Ryan Joyce at the World Darts Championship
The Premier League and Darts Grand Slam champion insisted during his press conference that he is the main attraction with or without Humphreys, saying: “I’m over tonight, I think all eyes will still be on me.”
Littler also said he felt “more comfortable” last year, but since then the expectations on the Warrington hurler have risen significantly.
“Obviously, no one really recognized me,” he said. “I’ve been playing with absolute freedom. I’d say these last two games I’ve played with a little bit of freedom and also that adrenaline rush has been there for me.”
Part. It’s huge that Littler had a game like that
Littler will play good friend Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals after the Stockport hurler produced a near-perfect whitewash against Ricardo Pietresco.
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John Part says Littler is not “invincible” at this year’s World Darts Championship despite showing grit to win a decisive set against Joyce.
“It was everything we could have hoped for,” said Part, the three-time world champion. was resilient against a ruthless opponent.
“Those are the matches we like to watch. The ones where both players refuse to give up, and if they’re given an extra chance, they take it.
“Luke did the job, an extra gear, almost 111 at the end of the match. He’s got a good chance.”
The part continued. “The little one understands that he can’t joke there, you will know.
“He’s really the whole package in terms of his ability and attitude, but he’s not unbeatable. I’m not saying he’s going to lose, he can beat anybody.
“You can’t let your guard down for a second.
“It’s great that he’s been tested and he’s won a lot of events. But now on this stage where it all started for him, I think given who he is, it’s great that he’s had a match like that and come through it. : ».
Part about the quarter finals
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Part awaits the quarter-finals, which will be live on Sky Sports Darts on New Year’s Day
“Peter Wright has proven he can do something here. These players are all developing from normal games to really world-class matches. It’s a long two, three weeks.
“Luke Littler is not alone. There are seven other guys and they all think, “This is it.”
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