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: Danny Noppert 1-1 Ryan Joyce
Noppert was on a nine-darter in that set, missing the seventh treble-60. Boos ring around Ally Pally...
But a tight set sees Joyce rally and even the contest, remarkable.
He upped his average to 94.01 and then took three of six opportunities at a double, that’ll work. A lively contest this.
World Darts Championship 2025: Danny Noppert 1-0 Ryan Joyce
World Darts Championship 2025: Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce
Noppert grabs a one-set lead, 3-1 in legs, and both men take a breather. The Dutchman is calm, but shouts towards his support: ‘Come on!’
Noppert’s average is 93.47%, with Joyce down at 87.29%. Neither man enjoying the doubles though, with Noppert’s checkout percentage at 25% and Joyce down at 20%.
World Darts Championship 2025: Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce
Finally we have both men on stage, Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce is starting shortly.
The Dutchman is the world No. 13 and a dark horse in the tournament, he has the 8th best match win percentage (65%) in the world for 2024. He’s 150/1 for the tournament though. Perhaps being slept on a little... Here are the latest odds for the tournament:
2/1 Luke Littler
5/2 Luke Humphries
13/2 Gary Anderson
9/1 Michael van Gerwen
22/1 Gerwyn Price
28/1 Wessel Nijman
30/1 Stephen Bunting
33/1 Chris Dobey
33/1 Jonny Clayton
33/1 Josh Rock
40/1 Gian van Veen
40/1 Rob Cross
40/1 Damon Heta
45/1 Damon Heta
50/1 Dimitri Van den Bergh
50/1 Nathan Aspinall
World Darts Championship 2025 - Luke Littler and tonight’s order of play
A reminder on tonight’s order of play and when we can expect Luke Littler on the oche.
‘The Nuke’ is on third tonight, when he takes on Ryan Meikle, meaning we have a little wait, but importantly that match will likely be done and dusted before the other big sporting event tonight when Tyson Fury bids for revenge against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia - you can follow live coverage of the boxing over here.
First up is Danny Noppert v Ryan Joyce in the second round at about 7:10pm. Then it’s Raymond van Barneveld against Nick Kenny at about 8:10pm.
Littler v Meikle is next, so we can expect the 17-year-old to start his bid for a first world title at 9:10pm.
To round off the evening of darts, Damon Heta battles Connor Scutt fourth up at Ally Pally, with that match due up at 10:10pm or later depending on the previous matches.
World Darts Championship 2025
Luke Littler recalls first nine-darter at 13 years old
“I don’t know,” Littler told the Jaack’s Happy Hour Podcast when asked when he first hit a 180 with reports he was just six years old.
“I think it was 13 years old [when I first hit a nine-darter].
“I just roared, I was playing a computer bot [during lockdown].”
Michael van Gerwen puts pressure on Luke Littler
"Maybe it suits me [with eyes elsehwhere], everyone wants to get me out of the tournament,” Van Gerwen said.
“There's a lot of pressure on the two Lukes I've been here for so long mate, when you do well, that’s the price you pay. You always want to be in the spotlight. It’s good.
“That’s what you want, if not, you’re not a professional. It’s as simple as that.
“Don’t put potentially breaking Phil’s record, no chance.”
Alexis Toylo reacts to historic win at World Darts Championship
"I can't describe how I'm feeling, so happy," said Alexis Toylo of the Phillippines after his debut win as the 500th different player at the World Championship. "I feel the pressure as the No.1 in Asia, I have to deliver and show I deserve that place.
“Asian darts deserves chances, we feel we can compete with everyone, it’s a matter of finishing.
“It’s special for me, I’m trying my best to play as good as I can. Good sleep, good practice and I’ll be ready.”
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