World Darts Championship LIVE: Luke Littler gets through tricky test against Ryan Meikle to reach third round
The 17-year-old began his quest to create history at Ally Pally and dethrone Luke Humphries after falling one short earlier this year
Luke Littler began his quest for PDC World Darts Championship glory with the biggest name in the sport beating Ryan Meikle 3-1 in the second round at the Ally Pally.
On an off night for the teenager he managed to clinch the opening set by checking out 100 against the throw. Meikle was not to be beaten in a flurry though and fought back to level the match 1-1 after the second. A break of throw to win the third set signalled that Littler was finding his range and he stepped up in the fourth.
A 10-dart leg and and an 11-dart leg were enough to sweep his opponent aside but Littler was too emotional to take part in the post-match interview after claiming his win.
Elsewhere, the legendary Raymond van Barneveld was beaten by Wales’ Nick Kenny and dark horse Damon Heta faced Connor Scutt in a stacked evening session.
Follow all the action with our live blog below at Ally Pally on Day 7 of the World Championship:
Luke Littler beats Ryan Meikle in record-breaking fashion at Alexandra Palace
A tearful Luke Littler came within millimetres of opening his quest for a maiden World Championship crown with a nine-dart finish as he beat Ryan Meikle in record-breaking fashion.
The teenage sensation was back on the Alexandra Palace stage 12 months on from his remarkable debut run to the final and showed everyone why he is the favourite to win the title this year.
Littler was a breath away from darting perfection when he missed a double 12 but threw a stunning 140.91 average in the final set to win 3-1.
Luke Littler beats Ryan Meikle in record-breaking fashion at Alexandra Palace
Teenager Littler threw a stunning 140.91 average in the final set to win 3-1.
World Darts Championship 2025: Damon Heta 3-1 Connor Scutt
Damon Heta gets it done! What a result from the Australian who hit four 100+ checkouts to secure the win and his spot in the third round.
World Darts Championship 2025: Damon Heta 1-1 Connor Scutt
Heta fights back and takes the second set. Even before this match started it was a great match-up on paper and things are proving to be the case at the Ally Pally.
Can Heta get himself into the lead?
World Darts Championship 2025: Damon Heta 0-1 Connor Scutt
Connor Schutt fights from two legs down to clinch the first set 3-2 with a double 6 finish! What a set of darts from the Englishman.
Luke Littler defeats Ryan Meikle 3-1 in tricky test
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 3-1 (3-0) Ryan Meikle
Wow. This match has swung but Ryan Meikle is taking in the applause of the crowd with another maximum! Littler is still outscoring him though in this set.
From 188, Littler scores 136 and leaves 52 to win the match. Meikle leaves 130 but it won’t matter.
Littler hits 12, then takes out double tops! His set average for that one was 141. That is insane. Luke Littler wasn’t at his best but sweeps into the third round.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 2-1 (2-0) Ryan Meikle
This is Littler at his best. He’s shaken off the cobwebs and lands another 180 but Meikle responds in kind. Littler doesn’t let up and takes out another maximum to set up another nine-dart leg.
He needs 141 and hits treble 20, then treble 19 but slides under the double 12!
Meikle misses out on 157 and Littler breaks throw with double 6! That’s a 10-dart leg.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 2-1 (1-0) Ryan Meikle
Luke Littler has won two sets against the darts and now needs to hold this one. He begins with a maximum 180! and then follows it up with a second one!
Littler is on for a nine-darter. Needing 141 he misses the treble 20 but recovers well to leave 60 for the checkout. 20, double tops and another leg goes to Littler.
He’s two away from winning the match.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 2-1 (3-1) Ryan Meikle
Littler now has the throw to win the set. He starts off well with two scores in the high 90s but Meikle is right there with him. A big 145 leaves 167 for Littler on the next trip.
He has another six darts at this and tries to lay up but only manages 45. Meikle can’t leave a finish and little takes out 82 to leave a shot at double tops for the set.
He checks out with two darts again! The set is his.
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