Luke Littler capitalised on missed doubles to defeat David Davies in Round Two of the World Darts Championship.
Speaking after his 3-0 straight sets win, Warrington’s Littler said: “Three-nil is that much sweeter but, on paper, it was not a three-nil game.”
Davies came close to winning the first set after four legs, but he failed to take out double 8 and double four.
Littler replied by hitting double ten to punish his opponent’s missed doubles.
Littler hit an 82 checkout in the deciding leg to take the first set. He won this set with a low 89 average.
Littler’s game stepped up a level during the second set. He finished the second leg with an impressive 145 finish.
Davies continued to miss the crucial doubles in the third leg, as he failed to take out double 20. Littler took out double 12 to punish Davies’ failed efforts.
Littler left himself double 20, to secure the second set.
In the third set, Littler continued to pounce on his opponent’s missed double efforts.
Davies failed to take out double 18 and then double nine. Littler then capitalised by hitting double 20 to win the first leg.
The defending champion left himself a checkout target of 35 in the fourth leg. He expertly converted this to take the match 3-0, in straight sets.
Littler was asked about the turning point in which he stepped it up in this match.
He said: “Some would say it’s the 145, but for myself it was going into the second set one-one and then breaking to go two-one up.”
He also showed respect when asked about his Welsh opponent Davies.
He said: “I’m just thankful that he missed his doubles. There was only two points in the averages.”
He added: “His first treble was just so sweet.”
Littler will now progress to face Mensur Suljovic, after the Christmas break.
Suljovic defeated Joe Cullen 3-1 in round two, to set up this meeting with Luke Littler.
When asked about his opponent, Littler said: “He messaged me before the tournament, saying see you in round three, good luck. I said good luck to him.”
He added: “Hopefully we can have a good game.”
(Featured pic from Alamy Images under agreed licence)
