Luke Littler produced another statement performance at Alexandra Palace on Monday night, overcoming a spirited Rob Cross fightback to keep his bid for back-to-back Paddy Power World Darts Championship titles firmly on track.
The teenage sensation averaged close to 107 and fired in an astonishing 17 maximums to defeat the 2017/18 World Champion 4-2, becoming one of the first two players to secure a place in the quarter-finals alongside Ryan Searle. Although Cross handed Littler his first dropped set of the tournament to level at 1-1, the world number one responded emphatically, averaging 125 in the third set to regain control.
Cross refused to relent, conjuring a superb 126 finish to stay alive before rattling off 13- and 12-dart legs to threaten a dramatic comeback. Littler, however, delivered a crucial ten-dart break and calmly sealed victory on tops.
“It was a brilliant game, and it was a test that I needed,” insisted Littler.
“I proved once again that when someone tests me, I can overcome them, but Rob definitely found his feet towards the end of that game.
“I’ve hit a 107 average followed by a 106, so I’m feeling confident, and now I’ll be back on New Year’s Day to play either Krzysztof (Ratajski) or Luke (Woodhouse).”
Searle maintained his flawless run in the tournament, remaining the only player yet to drop a set after dismantling James Hurrell 4-0. Averaging almost 101 and converting half of his double attempts, the Somerset star reached his first Ally Pally quarter-final in style.
“It didn’t quite happen for James tonight, and I’ve been in that position,” claimed Searle.
“All you hope for as a dart player is to get on the stage and produce the darts you know you’re capable of.
“If I can play my game, then I can go all the way, and if you don’t believe that, there’s no point being here.”
Earlier in the day, Kevin Doets produced a thrilling deciding-set victory over Nathan Aspinall to book a quarter-final clash with Luke Humphries, while debutant Charlie Manby continued his dream run with a confident win over Ricky Evans.
“I felt really, really comfortable and I kept my focus,” reflected Doets.
“All I can say is, if I play like I did in the last two sets, Luke is going to have a tough time!”
With heavyweight clashes still to come, the World Championship drama continues to build as the tournament reaches its decisive stages.
Source: PDC.TV
