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Luke Littler sets record set average in victory over Ryan Meikle on World Championship return

Jamie Shaw in World Darts Championship 22 Dec 2024

Luke Littler reacts (Photo by PDC)

Luke Littler created more history as he broke the record set average in defeating Ryan Meikle on his World Darts Championship return at Alexandra Palace.

Littler averaged an astonishing 140.91 in the fourth and final set of his 3-1 win over Meikle – the highest ever set average in PDC World Championship history.

The teenage sensation was embroiled in a battle with Meikle, before producing legs of 11, ten and 11 darts in the fourth set – narrowly missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish in the penultimate leg.

His record set average comfortably eclipses that of Gerwyn Price (136.64) in the 2021 final, and the 17-year-old ended with an overall average of 100.8.

“That was probably the toughest game I’ve ever played, but you’ve got to get over the line,” said an emotional Littler, who broke down in tears on stage at the end of the match.

“I don’t know where I pulled that last set from, but I just had to fight until the end.

“When I got on that stage I felt really nervous, but I managed to find my game from somewhere.

“I know I’m the favourite, but you have to focus on winning your first game, and that’s what I did tonight.”

Day Seven of the sport’s showpiece tournament also saw Damon Heta miss a dart at double 12 for the second nine-darter of the World Championship in his 3-1 win over Connor Scutt.

Ninth seed Heta found himself a set down to an in-form Scutt, but the Australian number one won nine of the next 11 legs to set up a meeting with Luke Woodhouse.

“At the end of the day it was all about the win, but that dart at double 12 was very frustrating,” admitted Heta.

“I felt like I was the underdog coming into the game.

“I know how good Connor is. He’s been flying, he has so much going for him, and he will do some amazing things.

“It would have been nice to top that win off by hitting the double 12, because I felt like I was in a zone. Things were happening!”

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat to Nick Kenny – who took advantage of the out-of-sorts Dutchman.

Van Barneveld, the number 32 seed, averaged just 84.6 as he slumped to defeat, with Kenny booking his place in the Last 32 for the first time and effectively preserving his Tour Card status in the process.

Chris Dobey defeated Alexander Merkx 3-1 in his first appearance on the Alexandra Palace stage since his heart-breaking quarter-final defeat to Rob Cross on New Year’s Day, in which he squandered a four-set lead.

Dobey raced into a 2-0 lead, but after Merkx halved the deficit, the former Masters champion produced a game-changing 122 checkout on his way to sealing victory.

“I was up for the challenge today, and I managed to stay focused,” said Dobey.

“The 122 was a key moment, especially after he missed the bull for a 121. It felt like it had to go at that moment, and luckily for me it went in.

“I’ve been working really hard in practice. My floor game has been brilliant this year.

“I’m happy with where my game is at the minute, and hopefully I can keep pushing on!”

Former World Championship quarter-finalist Ryan Joyce came from a set down to dump out 13th seed Danny Noppert, defeating the Dutchman 3-1 to book his place in the Last 32 for the first time since the 2018/19 event.

Rhys Griffin enjoyed a dream World Championship debut as he swept aside Czech star Karel Sedlacek in straight sets with the aid of eight 180s.

Two-time quarter-finalist Brendan Dolan coasted to a straight sets win over Hong Kong’s Lok Yin Lee in Round Two, while methodical Philippines’ debutant Alexis Toylo pulled off a straight sets scalp of a struggling Richard Veenstra in the final match of the opening round.

World Darts Championship 2024/25 Day Seven Results

Saturday December 21

Afternoon Session
Karel Sedlacek 0-3 Rhys Griffin (R1)
Richard Veenstra 0-3 Alexis Toylo (R1)
Brendan Dolan 3-0 Lok Yin Lee (R2)
Chris Dobey 3-1 Alexander Merkx (R2)

Evening Session
Danny Noppert 1-3 Ryan Joyce (R2)
Raymond van Barneveld 1-3 Nick Kenny(R2)
Luke Littler 3-1 Ryan Meikle (R2)
Damon Heta 3-1 Connor Scutt (R2)

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Luke Littler sets record set average in victory over Ryan Meikle on World Championship return

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