Luke Littler reveals what he told Ryan Joyce immediately after dramatic World Darts Championship win
Luke Littler has revealed what he told Ryan Joyce moments after their thrilling fourth round encounter at the World Darts Championship.
Littler prevailed 4-3 but was pushed almost all the way by Joyce, who averaged over 97 and broke his opponent's throw in the sixth set to make it 3-3.
'The Nuke', though, managed to force a crucial break of his own in the first leg of the deciding set, which ultimately provided to be crucial in his victory.
He produced his highest average of the tournament at 103.14, with only his slightly reduced double percentage of 35 per cent preventing him from having a more comfortable evening.
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But 'Relentless' lived up to his nickname, with Joyce set to end the tournament inside the top 32 of the rankings.
Littler will now face Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals on New Year's Day.
Speaking after his win, the 17-year-old praised Joyce's performance and revealed what he said to him in the immediate aftermath of his victory.
He said: "Both of us played very well. I'm sure Ryan wasn't happy with the result, but the way he played I think he should go off that stage very happy.
"It's very tough. I knew he'd be right behind me all game.
"As soon as I hit the double and celebrated, I went over to see and him and said, 'You said in your interview you've got no power scoring, you were right behind me every leg!' Then he said good luck and all the best.
"It was difficult. I knew that, maybe not on the power scoring, but I knew that he would take out big finishes and I knew he'd do very well on his doubles.
"Going into that last set, I just said to myself, 'You've got the darts here now. This set really matters or else you're going all the way'. And I'm happy to win it."
Elsewhere on Monday night, Michael van Gerwen made it through to the quarter-finals with a 4-2 win over Jeffrey de Graaf, while Stephen Bunting beat Luke Woodhouse 4-0.
Topics: Luke Littler, Darts
Ryan Smart