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“Over the moon” Ryan Meikle believes all the pressure is on Luke Littler for his second round match at the World Darts Championship on Saturday, adding: “I’ve got a chance.”
Meikle outlasted Fallon Sherrock in their first-round match Tuesday night, coming back from 1-0 down to ultimately prevail 3-2.
The victory sets up a meeting with 17-year-old sensation and fourth seed Littler, in his first match back on the Alexandra Palace stage after bursting onto the scene with his impressive run to last year’s final.
“For weeks now, since the draw was posted, people keep saying, ‘You could play with Littler,'” Meikle said.
“On social media and stuff, I was everywhere; I’ve never had so much media attention in my life, and it’s not because of who I am.
Luke Littler could have faced Sherrock in a successful second round matchup at the World Cup
“Everyone wanted a second round of Littler-Fallon, which I can understand; I know how big it would have been, I’m not stupid. But secretly, that gave me more motivation.
“I really want to play against him and I’m lucky to be able to play against him, especially here, where everything happened for him.
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What a year it has been for Littler, from his World Championship breakthrough as a 17-year-old to winning the Premier League title. We take a look at its incredible 2024
“I’m not going to tell you I’m going to win, but I have a chance, so you never know.”
Meikle will undoubtedly need to improve on his 83.53 average recorded in his win over Sherrock if he is to upset Littler on Saturday, but he says the pressure is off as his opponent is the heavy favourite.
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Sherrock shot 78 to take a 1-0 lead before Meikle rallied.
“Tonight was a big one to overcome,” Meikle said. “Looking ahead to Saturday I no longer have any pressure.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of pressure on him, obviously in regards to the media and television.
“I’m not looking to slow him down or do any kind of tactics. I hope I can relax and play my best game.”
“To be fair, I don’t think he has any weaknesses. I think he’s amazing.”
Sherrock was also saddled with greater expectations when she faced Meikle, but it is now four consecutive years of first-round exits for her since her extraordinary, pioneering third-round run on debut five years ago.
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Sherrock became the first woman to defeat a man at a World Championship in 2019 with victory over Ted Evetts.
“I’m very relieved to get over the line, it was a huge battle,” Meikle admitted.
“Fallon didn’t play like he did a few years ago and I expected the best version of Fallon.
“She’s a huge name and what she’s done for women’s darts is incredible, but I’m glad she didn’t play her best because she probably would have beaten me.”
“As far as the tour and the average go, I like to think I’m a better player, but you have to go out there and prove it. I don’t know if I did it, but I hit some doubles and got there at the end.”
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Take a look at the afternoon session on day three of the World Darts Championship
What’s next?
We’ve got just one session of action for you on Wednesday 18 December, which you can watch live on Sky Sports Darts from 7pm.
Jim Williams takes on Paolo Nebrida and Madars Razma takes on Christian Kist, while Ricky Evans takes on Gordon Mathers before Nathan Aspinall begins his tournament against Leonard Gates.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more sports highlights with NOW.
