Michael van Gerwen will not be watching Luke Littler’s clash with Ryan Meikle (Image: Sky Sports)
will not be watching ‘s first foray onto the Alexandra Palace stage at this year’s .
The Dutchman is seemingly sick of seeing his 17-year-old rival, who has shot up to fourth in the rankings since making it to the world final 12 months ago. Littler faces Ryan Meikle in his second-round opener and the Ally Pally crowd will be buzzing to see him back in action.
But Van Gerwen does not share the same enthusiasm, saying in his post-match press conference on Friday night: “I see him every week, why would I care? Who is he playing?
“Ryan Meikle is a good player. Of course Luke is a massive favourite but Ryan is quite a slow player so maybe there could be a surprise, you never know.”
Van Gerwen also took his opportunity to needle Littler about the first-round defeat he inflicted on him at the World Matchplay in July, adding: “It wouldn’t be the first tournament he loses first round this year as well [smirks]. But I still expect him to win. He’s great for what he’s done for the sport of darts. Amazing.”
Littler is a big favourite going into tonight’s match and one of the favourites to lift the title. Meikle, 28, sits 58 places below him in the PDC Order of Merit.
Luke Littler made it to the final of the World Darts Championship 12 months ago (Image: Getty)
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‘The Nuke’ has been in impressive form virtually all year, but his results were particularly impressive in the lead-up to the World Darts Championship, when he won the Grand Slam of Darts and lost in the Players Championship final the following week.
Littler and reigning champion Luke Humphries remain the two players to beat, but Van Gerwen will also want to be in the mix after thrashing James Hurrell 3-0 in his opening match. The Dutchman averaged just shy of 95, which may have left him in a tough spot against Littler or Humphries, but he insists that he is yet to go through the gears.
“I think in patches I did well, but the tank is still full,” he said. “I think I did enough, and that’s the only thing that matters, especially knowing that I didn’t have the best 12 months of my career.
“I love to perform on stages like this. It gives me a lot of energy, and the atmosphere definitely gave me goosebumps.”