- Littler defeated Ian White to advance to the next round of competition on Saturday night
- On Monday he will face Ryan Joyce, who impressed in his third-round game.
- Joyce has stated that he does not have the scoring ability to compete in the tie
Luke Littler has suggested that Ryan Joyce's comments are “not really good for his game” ahead of their last-16 clash at the World Darts Championship.
The 17-year-old, favorite to win the tournament in his second year of competition after losing to Luke Humphries in the final on his debut last year, reached the last 16 with a 4-1 victory over Ian White in Ally. Friendly.
He had to work for it at times, with White missing darts in two of the four sets he lost and Littler appearing to struggle in his doubles.
He scored 12 180s in the game and posted a 97.84 average against the Diamond and will now face Joyce, who impressed in doubles in his narrow victory over Ryan Searle on Saturday.
Joyce had downplayed his chances of winning the match, despite his impressive run so far, saying: “I don't have the consistency in scoring power to compete with Luke Littler, but I can do doubles.”
Littler, however, urged his opponent to believe in himself more, insisting that he would have a better chance if he did.
Luke Littler has suggested his World Darts Championship opponent's comments are “not good for his game”
Ryan Joyce, the teenager's next opponent, said he doesn't have “the consistency in scoring power to compete.”
Littler edged out Ian White in their third round clash at Ally Pally on Saturday night.
“I didn't know I said that,” he said. “If that's what you're thinking, it's not really good for your game.”
“I just have to focus on my game and it's all about what happens that day.”
Littler checked only 35.14 percent of his doubles against white and often found himself chasing them around the board while missing the double 20 or his favorite double 10.
He has become somewhat synonymous with double 10s throughout his short career on the professional circuit, but he joked to Sky Sports after his win that he “didn't like” his trusty finish or double 20, and they didn't like it either.
He said: 'It was tough. Ian threw everything at me. If I gave him a 180, he would hit me back too. It had to stay on.
“I had no nerves. I had to adapt quickly. The first set was good. The second set after the first break, I was ready.
'At 3-1, the 70 was huge. I don't think they like double 10 or double 20, and I don't like them.
'The crowd was good for me and Ian. If you chant Ian White's name, I'll hit 180. I know I have to hit those doubles, 35 percent tonight won't get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles.
He is expected to face Luke Humphries in the semi-final, which will see the two favorites meet.
Littler is expected to face Humphries in the semi-final if the tournament goes as expected, which would be the latest edition of a rivalry that has swept darts for the past 12 months.
When he overtook Meikle in the final round, he confirmed that victory via the best stretch ever seen at Ally Pally with a record average of 140.91. That included two darts of 11 and one of 10, although a reminder of his youthful fragility followed when the teenager burst into tears when his live interview was abandoned.
However, Littler showed few signs of the pressure that was bearing down on him this time as the tournament favorite. Before his grand entrance, Littler even sang his opponent's tune, Play That Funky Music, while waiting his turn on the catwalk.
After criticizing his own performance in the final round, he looked close to his best Saturday as his parents cheered him on from the crowd. He will return to action on Monday in the afternoon session.