Luke Littler sent a chilling warning to his rivals at the PDC World Darts Championship, declaring he is in the form of his life after a devastating performance to reach the last 16.
Ruthless Display Sees Champion Progress
The defending champion and world number one produced a masterclass at Alexandra Palace, sweeping aside Austria's Mensur Suljovic with a commanding 4-0 victory. Littler, still only 18 years old, was in scintillating form, averaging an astonishing 107.31 – his highest ever average at the tournament. He complemented this with a clinical 71% checkout success rate, leaving his experienced opponent with no answer.
Suljovic, who had been criticised for slow play in his previous match, struggled to gain any foothold in the contest. He did not manage to win a single leg until the third set, by which time Littler had already established an unassailable lead and rhythm.
'The Best I've Felt' - Littler's Confident Verdict
Speaking to Sky Sports after his emphatic win, a supremely confident Littler explained his dominant display. 'I felt so settled tonight and I got into a rhythm that matches his pace,' he said.
The teenager went even further, stating this was the most comfortable he has ever felt on the sport's biggest stage. 'It's the best I've felt. Even last year's tournament or the one before that - it's the most settled. There was no pressure and no nerves and I'm delighted with the result,' Littler added, a statement that will concern every other contender left in the tournament.
Fourth Round Awaits
With this dominant performance, Luke Littler books his place in the fourth round of the World Darts Championship. He now awaits the winner of the match between 2018 world champion Rob Cross and Australian star Damon Heta.
His combination of phenomenal scoring power and ice-cool finishing under the Ally Pally lights marks him out as the firm favourite to retain his title. The darts world is now on notice: a settled and confident Luke Littler is a truly formidable prospect.
