Luke Littler fires warning to rivals after 16-year-old surged into World Darts Championship semi-finals
BOY WONDER Luke Littler says he has the belief now he can win the £500,000 Sid Waddell Trophy.
The 16-year-old smashed Northern Ireland veteran Brendan Dolan 5-1 in the quarterfinals of the PDC World Darts Championship.
And he is favourite to eliminate Rob Cross – who claimed the world title on his debut in 2018 – in Tuesday’s semi-finals at Ally Pally.
Littler, who has earned £100,000 so far, said: “It’ll take a lot to beat me, based on my past performances in these Worlds.
“I know I have got the ability to go all the way.
“I know I have a good chance, I know in myself I have got a good feeling that I can go all the way now. It’s whatever Luke Littler turns up.
“If I keep it up, I have a good chance. I’m only two games away. I’m definitely thinking about the title.
“This is the first time I have thought about it. It’s unbelievable.
“Rob is another person in the way. Obviously he won it on his debut – now I have my hopes of winning on my debut as well.
“This is unbelievable. I’ve felt confident ever since the opening game with Christian Kist.
“I don’t want to jinx it but every game I have played I have gone one or two sets up. I’m a good player to get off the mark quickly.
“I have got even more experience and even more hope of going all the way.”
Littler – who is a staunch Manchester United fan – watched Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth in North London on New Year’s Eve.
He sat in comfort in midfielder James Maddison’s private box and the pair practised throwing darts together for the club’s photographers.
Luke The Nuke said: “I was in James Maddison’s box. He’s still injured.
“It was good to meet him, get some pictures, and meet his family. It was really nice.
“I have been to an Arsenal game in the past week. I have been to a Tottenham game.
“People come up to me. I don’t even know who they are. They know me. It’s a good feeling. I will always take pictures with anyone.”
Littler has a great connection with the fans and seized an opportunity to play along with the Ally Pally crowd against Dolan.
With the youngster on a Big Fish – which is a score of 170 to end a leg – he turned to to crowd and riled them up before throwing for the bullseye, which he missed.
Littler also appeared to be stung by a wasp during the contest but he did not let it distract him from what was a comfortable win.