Impressive Littler eases into Matchplay last 16

With a win over Ryan Searle, the reigning World Matchplay champion Luke Littler cruised to a comfortable 10-2 victory in Blackpool.

The 18-year-old was desperate to make amends after his first appearance at the Winter Gardens last year ended in a first-round defeat by Michael van Gerwen.

He won only 48 of his first four legs and finished with a superb average of 108.92 and 52.6% on his checkouts, which was too good for Searle from the beginning.

Littler’s assault on the world number 19 prevented the fate that befell world number one Luke Humphries, who had lost in his opening match on Saturday.

Littler told Sky Sports, “I felt very at ease out there.” “I was eager for tonight, and I’m so happy I got that win and the feeling of victory.”

I’m not a practising person, but I’ve been working on this one and spending more time at home, as people may well know. I’m pleased that it paid off, and I’m eager to watch the next game again.

Jermaine Wattimena, a Dutchman who defeated 2021 champion Peter Wright 10-8, will be Littler’s opponent in the last 16.