Luke Littler edged in the last eight of the World Championship with a thrilling win over Ryan Joyce (Image: Getty)
delivered a perfect riposte to brutal comment about his form by marching through to the quarter-finals. The 17-year-old delivered his best performance of the tournament so far, posting a 103 average as he after a deciding set.
While the match was closer than Littler fans would have liked, it should stand him in good stead for the final stages, which begin on New Year’s Day. Earlier in the night, Van Gerwen was similarly impressive, dispatching Jeffrey de Graaf 4-2.
After that match, the Green Machine brutally told Dutch media that Littler had been the “biggest disappointment” of the tournament so far, only for the teenager to then post one of the highest averages of the event to date. Van Gerwen’s comments were put to Littler after his win over Joyce.
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Unruffled, the Warrington thrower said: “It [his performance] might answer a few questions but I’m just happy with the result, happy with the power scoring. I said before the match, you’ve got to be leaving finishes after at least nine to 12 darts to give myself a chance, and that’s what I’ve done.”
Joyce, one of the best double-hitters in the game, had played down his chances of beating Littler, who will face Nathan Aspinall in the last eight on New Year’s Day night.
“It was a very tough game. We both played very well,” said Littler. “Ryan said he had no power-scoring, but he was right behind me in every leg I won! Ryan won’t be happy with the result, but I think he should be happy with the way he played.
“I’m expecting Nathan to play very well. We’ve played each other many times before, we know how we can play. This is the quarter-final of the World Championship, so may the best man win on the day.”
Michael van Gerwen aimed a jibe at Luke Littler after his fourth round win at the World Championship (Image: Getty)
Van Gerwen also sent out a statement to his title rivals with a superb display against De Graaf, fending off a mid-game fightback from the Swedish star to triumph with an average of almost 102. The 35-year-old, who faces Callan Rydz next, said: “I think I played a really good game.
“I was cruising and I was in control, and then Jeffrey produced two good sets, but more importantly, I was able to find another gear when I had to.
“Callan has the highest tournament average so far, so I cannot underestimate him, but I feel good, I feel comfortable, and from this position, I think anything is possible in this tournament.”
The other quarter-finals see Chris Dobey take on Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright go up against Stephen Bunting.