Luke Littler averages PDC World Championship record 140 in win over Ryan Meikle

Crying Luke Littler set a tournament record with an average of 140.91 and launched his bid for the PDC World Championship title with a dramatic 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle.

The 17-year-old made headlines around the world when he reached the final of the tournament in January, where he lost to Luke Humphries.

Starting the campaign on Saturday, Littler was millimeters away from a nine-darter when he missed double 12 as he blew out Meikle in the fourth and final set of the second-round match.

Littler eventually became emotional and cut his interview short on stage.

He later said in a press conference, “It was probably the hardest game I’ve ever played. I had to fight to the end.”

“As soon as the question came on stage and then the bang, tears came. Speaking on stage was a bit much.”

“This is the worst game I’ve ever played. I’ve never felt like this tonight.”

Admitting to being nervous during the match, he told Sky Sports: “Yeah, it’s probably the biggest shock I’ve ever had. Coming into it I was fine, but as soon as (referee) George Noble said ‘game on’ , I couldn’t throw.” Them.”

Littler started slowly against Mickle, who had two darts for the opening set, but took the lead by hitting double 20 twice.

Michael did not look too intimidated by his fellow Englishman and came level, but Littler won the third set and breathed life into the fourth.

The tournament favorite scored a maximum of 180 four times as he scored three straight legs in 11, 10 and 11 darts to achieve a record average and overall score of 100.85.

Meanwhile, two seeds were knocked out on Saturday night – five-time world champion Raymond Van Barneveld lost to Welshman Nick Kenny, while England’s Ryan Joyce defeated Danny Noppert.

Australian Damon Heta was the second player to narrowly miss the nine-darter, failing the double 12 when he threw for the match in a 3–1 win over Connor Scutt.

Ninth-seeded Heta had four 100-plus checkouts after losing a set against Scutt in a match in which both men averaged over 97.