‘It was massive’ – Luke Littler roars in celebration after winning tense set on way to victory
Luke Littler roared in a wild celebration at a pivotal moment during his tense victory over Ian White. Littler was this time taking on tour veteran in ‘Diamond’ Ian White, who was hoping to record a huge upset against the teenage prodigy to halt his World Championship run. The Nuke let out a huge roar after a very tense fourth set at Ally PallySky Sports PDCLittler didn’t have it all his own way but got the job done at the Worlds[/caption] ‘The Nuke’ at points looked supremely confident playing with the crowd and being the real entertainer we have come to expect. That included dancing along to fan chants in support of White and having banter with supporters who were backing his opponent. But it wasn’t all routine, and with White trying his best to spoil the party, he was forced to get his head down and produce some more scintillating oche magic. He did just that at a key moment in the fourth set, winning a deciding set to take a 3-1 lead. And he went on to see out the match, ousting the 54-year-old by a deficit of 4-1 eventually on the night despite the cagey moments. Despite it being a tough night, Littler threw 12 180s on his way to victory. Reacting to the win, 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.” Littler put jokes to one side to secure his place in the last 16 of the competitionGetty A memorable moment was when the Ally Pally crowd were singing White’s name, only to be silenced by Littler who recorded a 180 before jokingly taunting them with a cheeky smile. Asked about the moment, Littler said: “The crowd were good for me and Ian. If they chant Ian White’s name, I will hit a 180!” Littler will now play Ryan Joyce in the Round of 16 cementing his place in the tournament for another day, a contest that he knows will be difficult for him. The Nuke said: “I watched Ryan Joyce’s game. He was very good. “I know I have got to hit those doubles, 35% tonight won’t get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles. “Most importantly, though, I’ve won.” View Tweet: https://t.co/CLDVTw0y5L Littler and Joyce are scheduled to go head to head on Monday, December 30. The winner will earn a spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s World Darts Championship. Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
Luke Littler roared in a wild celebration at a pivotal moment during his tense victory over Ian White.
Littler was this time taking on tour veteran in ‘Diamond’ Ian White, who was hoping to record a huge upset against the teenage prodigy to halt his World Championship run.
‘The Nuke’ at points looked supremely confident playing with the crowd and being the real entertainer we have come to expect.
That included dancing along to fan chants in support of White and having banter with supporters who were backing his opponent.
But it wasn’t all routine, and with White trying his best to spoil the party, he was forced to get his head down and produce some more scintillating oche magic.
He did just that at a key moment in the fourth set, winning a deciding set to take a 3-1 lead.
And he went on to see out the match, ousting the 54-year-old by a deficit of 4-1 eventually on the night despite the cagey moments.
Despite it being a tough night, Littler threw 12 180s on his way to victory.
Reacting to the win, 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.”
A memorable moment was when the Ally Pally crowd were singing White’s name, only to be silenced by Littler who recorded a 180 before jokingly taunting them with a cheeky smile.
Asked about the moment, Littler said: “The crowd were good for me and Ian. If they chant Ian White’s name, I will hit a 180!”
Littler will now play Ryan Joyce in the Round of 16 cementing his place in the tournament for another day, a contest that he knows will be difficult for him.
The Nuke said: “I watched Ryan Joyce’s game. He was very good.
“I know I have got to hit those doubles, 35% tonight won’t get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles.
“Most importantly, though, I’ve won.”
Littler and Joyce are scheduled to go head to head on Monday, December 30.
The winner will earn a spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s World Darts Championship.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.
