Luke Littler’s test by Ryan Joyce at World Darts Championship proves he’s not unbeatable, says John Bart Arrows News

Luke Littler says “all eyes” are on him at the World Darts Championship, while John Bart feels the teenager has shown he is not “unbeatable” after being tested by Ryan Joyce.

Littler passed a rigorous test of his credentials as the favorite for the title With a tense 4-3 win over Joyce To book a place in the quarter-finals on New Year’s Day.

Expectations for last year’s runner-up were heightened following the shock exit of reigning champion Luke Humphries, and the 17-year-old has had to endure intense pressure at Alexandra Palace.

He showed his class when it was needed most as he averaged 111 in the final set, having hit 14 180s in the match.

The Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts champion claimed to be the main attraction with or without Humphreys during his press conference, saying: “I think there would have been expectations no matter what. Even if Luke makes it through, obviously… “I managed it.” “I made it through tonight, and I think all eyes will still be on me.”

Littler also said he felt “more comfortable” last year but expectations have increased dramatically for the Warrington hurler since then.

“Obviously no one really knew me,” he added. “I was playing with complete freedom. I would say that in the last two matches I played with a lot of freedom, and the adrenaline rush was there for me.”

Part: It’s huge that Littler had that kind of match

Littler will face his good friend Nathan Aspinall for a place in the semi-finals after the Stockport sharpshooter produced a near-perfect acquittal over Ricardo Petriczko.

“It was everything we hoped for,” said Bart, a three-time world champion. “We saw Littler being tested and tried, it was good to see that he wasn’t perfect and could use some work but was resilient against a relentless opponent.

“Those are the matches we like to watch. These are the matches where players refuse to give in, to give up, and if they have an extra chance they take it.”

“Luke got the job done, putting in an extra performance in the final set with an average of about 111. His best performance of the match came at the end. Littler is a big talent. He’s got a good chance.”

The part continued: “Letlier realizes he can’t joke around out there, you’ll get found out. He was serious at the right moments.

“He’s really the complete package in terms of ability and poise but he’s not unbeatable. I’m not saying he’ll lose, he can beat anyone,” he added.

“You can’t let your guard down for a moment.

“It’s great that he’s been tested and won so many events. But at this point now, where it all started for him, I think given his new context, it’s great that he’s had that type of match and gotten through it.” “.

Part of the quarter-finalists

“Peter Wright has proven he can do something here. He’s got quality. All these players have been developing from regular games to really world-class games. It’s a long period of two or three weeks. They’ve got to have the timing right.”

“Luke Littler’s not alone. There’s seven other guys and they’re all thinking, ‘This is it.’

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