Teenage darts phenomenon Luke 'The Nuke' Littler has suffered a devastating blow to his World Championship ambitions after crashing out in the first round of qualifying in Wigan.
The 17-year-old sensation, who took the darts world by storm earlier this year, fell to a comprehensive 6-3 defeat against experienced campaigner Ricky Evans in a match that saw the youngster struggle to find his trademark rhythm.
Qualifying Dreams Dashed in Dramatic Fashion
In a stunning turn of events at the Robin Park Tennis Centre, Littler's hopes of securing a spot at Alexandra Palace appeared to unravel from the outset. The Warrington-born star, who had been tipped as one of the favourites to qualify, never quite found his feet against the relentless pressure from Evans.
The match statistics told a worrying story for Littler fans, with the teenager averaging just 87.94 compared to Evans' impressive 94.82. Despite showing flashes of the brilliance that made him a household name, consistency proved to be Littler's downfall on this occasion.
Veteran Evans Shows His Class
Ricky Evans, known for his lightning-fast throwing style, demonstrated why experience counts in high-pressure qualifying scenarios. The 33-year-old from Kettering maintained his composure throughout the contest, capitalising on Littler's uncharacteristic errors and missed opportunities.
This defeat marks a significant setback for Littler, who had been hoping to build on his incredible breakthrough year that saw him reach the World Championship final and claim multiple senior titles against established professionals.
What Next for The Nuke?
While this qualifying route has now closed for Littler, all is not lost for the young star. He still has additional opportunities to secure his Alexandra Palace place through other qualifying methods and his performances on the professional circuit.
However, this result serves as a stark reminder of the fierce competition in darts and the pressure that comes with being one of the sport's most talked-about talents.
The darts world will be watching closely to see how Littler responds to this adversity as he continues his development in one of sport's most demanding arenas.
