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:
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-1 (2-1) Ryan Meikle
The momentum is all with Meikle and he can feel it. Littler is fighting against the tide and needs to swing things back his own way.
A 140 from Littler puts him back in control against the throw and he leaves himself with a finish of 167. Littler lays up with a 127 and leaves double tops.
He’s got three darts to finish... he slips into the 20 with the first one, then lands double 10 with the second!
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-1 (1-1) Ryan Meikle
Another maximum for Littler may show that he’s clicking into gear. He leaves 167 with Meikle not on a finish. Littler fails to hit a treble and leaves 110 with Meikle on 152.
Littler only hits 54 and has 56 left. Meikle needs to be perfect, he hits the first two treble 20s then misses double 16. Littler fails to hit 56!
Meikle lands his finish and hits back. Big response.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-1 (1-0) Ryan Meikle
This next set could be a big one. If Littler wins it then the match should go his way. Both players have been broken though and the pressure has been ramped up.
Meikle has the throw in the third set. Their averages are both in the 93s with Meikle playing the better darts.
Littler hits a 180, his fifth maximum, to take control of the first leg against the darts. He’s first to a finish at 147 and will have six darts at it.
He almost takes it out in three but misses the double 15. Meikle puts some pressure on but Littler takes one dart to hit the double and break throw.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-1 Ryan Meikle
Meikle leaves himself 167 and is the first to a finish. He hits a 95 and has three darts to take out 72. The first lands in the treble 16 but he misses two efforts at double 12.
Littler doesn’t punish him and Meikle comes back to the board and takes out the 24 finish to level the match.
Game on.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-0 (1-2) Ryan Meikle
Littler is calm, or it seems like he is at least. Two big visits and a 52 get him down to 208 from nine darts and he’s got a healthy lead over Meikle.
A 134 leaves him with 74 to win the leg. Littler takes out treble 18, then double 10 to get on the board. He needs to break Meikle now though.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-0 (0-2) Ryan Meikle
Littler has had 11 trips without hitting a treble, Meikle just four so far. A big 140 from Meikle gives him an opportunity to take out 116 but strays into the treble 7 and the chance goes.
Littler needs 110 but can’t finish it. Meikle needs to hit double tops for the win. He does and moves two legs up. The pressure is on Littler now.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-0 (0-1) Ryan Meikle
A double, double tops finish gives Littler the first set. He’ll have the throw in the second set though and will want to get going from the start.
He opens up with a 44 though, that’s not strong especially with Meikle landing a 140. Meikle then hits a 137 against the darts and Littler is struggling.
Miekle is first to a finish and needs 133, he’ll have six darts to take this out and sets up with a 93. Meikle has three attempts at double tops, he needs one.
It’s a break of throw.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-0 (0-0) Ryan Meikle
That’s what Littler can do. He can swing matches with one leg. Ryan Meikle will feel hard doen to as he played well in that set and is now behind.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 1-0 (3-2) Ryan Meikle
Wow! Meikle lands 180, Littler does the same!
The follow up throw for Meikle is 100, Littler takes out 136. Meikle’s next trip leaves him with a 164 finish, Littler sets up to checkout 100.
Meikle doesn’t get a shot at winning, Littler punishes him! His first dart hits 20, the next lands in the double 20, he follows it in to claim the set!
Incredible.
World Darts Championship 2025: Luke Littler 0-0 (2-2) Ryan Meikle
Ryan Meikle lands double 12 in 13 darts to move back into the lead in the first set. He’s averaging over 90 and has looked decent.
Luke Littler needs a response. He lands a 180 first up in the next leg, which he has to win. A 138 follows to leave 140 for the checkout.
Three darts land in the 20 and he requires 80 on the next trip up. Meikle leaves 75 and has a chance as Littler misses out.
Meikle has two darts to clinch the set... he misses! Littler takes out double two and levels the set.
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