Luke Littler overcomes sticky start to see off plucky veteran Ian White and reach PDC World Championships last 16
LUKE LITTLER achieved belated revenge for his grandfather as he got the better of veteran Ian White following a 30-year family rivalry.
In this darts episode of the Generation Game, The Nuke prevailed 4-1 to advance into the fourth round of the PDC World Darts Championship for the second year running.
‘Diamond’ White, 54, is the second-oldest man involved in this year’s Worlds and is 37 years older than Littler.
Back in the 1990s, he used to play a lot against Littler’s granddad Phil in local leagues in Runcorn, Cheshire.
But serious-faced Littler earned the bragging rights this time – his eighth win out of nine outings at Ally Pally – and now faces fellow Englishman Ryan Joyce on Monday evening.
This was a far from convincing display from the tournament favourite.
But that does not matter as he moved ever closer to a potential semi-final date with world champion Luke Humphries on January 2.
The hallmark of his fairytale run 12 months ago was the fact Littler started games so quickly but so far he has begun slow and sluggish in the early exchanges.
Though Littler clinched the opening set, it was only because White missed double top in leg five against the throw.
Stoke-based White – who does the Paul Pogba DAB before games – was determined to make the evening as uncomfortable as possible for his younger opponent and drew level at 1-1.
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Littler’s ignition kickstarted in set three as he won three legs in a row, with 39 darts, whilst averaging 115 and pinned the Bullseye on a 88 finish.
In the fourth set, showman Littler gave a cheeky look to the crowd when he declined the Bull on a 130 finish, opting instead for a last-dart score of 10 to leave 40, as White was not on a checkout.
Littler then roared and clenched his fists in jubilation when he claimed the pivotal fourth set.
This released the pressure from his body because White had a chance at double top to peg it back to 2-2.
In leg four of set five, the No.4 seed booked his spot on double ten, ensuring he would have one more game in this incredible debut year as a pro.
His average was 97.84 and this ended a run of 14 consecutive games in all competitions where he had averaged 100-plus.
Littler said: “It was tough. Ian threw everything at me. If I hit a 180, he would hit back with one, too. I had to stay switched on.
“I didn’t have nerves. I had to settle in quickly. The first set was okay. The second set after the first break, I was up for it.
“At 3-1, the 70 was massive. I don’t think double ten or double 20 like me – and I don’t like them.
“The crowd were good for me and Ian. If they chant Ian White’s name, I will hit a 180.
“I watched Ryan Joyce’s game. He was very good. I know I have got to hit those doubles, 35 per cent tonight won’t get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles.”
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship at the beginning of the year.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has then gone on to win a host of PDC events and the Premier League title – which he claimed at the O2 Arena by beating world champion Luke Humphries in May.
He also finished his first season in the World Series as the No1 ranked player.
He has joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
But he is newly single after splitting from girlfriend Eloise Milburn following a 10-month relationship.
Check out all of our latest Luke Littler stories.