Luke Littler remains favorite to win a first world darts title at Alexandra Palace, although time is running out to set a record that is becoming 'frustration'.
The teenage sensation and last year's runner-up began his campaign with a 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle, where he recovered from a slow start to average a record 140.91 in the fourth and final set.
Littler's 32-dart set included six perfect throws on his way to an 11-dart opening leg, before he came agonizingly close to the nine-dart finish in the next, missing D12 for what would have been his fifth nine-dart. breakthrough campaign.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Luke Littler won the final set against Ryan Meikle by just 32 darts, seeing him start this year's tournament on a winning note
The 17-year-old has nine-darted at the Bahrain Darts Masters, Players Championship 1, Belgian Darts Open and Premier League Final in 2024, although he has since missed out on a number of occasions as he bids to become the first player in PDC history to make five nines arrow in the year.
“It's definitely getting frustrating in a good way,” Littler admitted after his second-round win over Meikle, where there was the added pressure of knowing a World Cup 9-dart would result in a fan in the Ally Pally crowd winning £60,000. “Obviously, as soon as you get to 19 treble, your eyes light up.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Luke Littler reflects on his 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle in the World Darts Championship opener
“I heard the camera pan to the winner, so sorry whoever you are! I'll try again.”
His latest near-miss followed failed nine-dart attempts with the last dart against Lawrence Ilagan and Jermaine Wattimen in his run to the Grand Slam of Darts victory in November – his 10th PDC title of the year.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Luke Littler came agonizingly close to scoring a sensational nine-dart against Jermaine Wattimen during the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton
Littler told reporters in Wolverhampton last month that he was considering alternative ways to close the leg after opening with six perfect darts, although he said that was not on his mind during his attempt against Meikle.
“I didn't even think about 51,” Littler admitted. “Throughout the game the header shots were fine.
“I've left 265 a few times and hit a high 19 fine, but I might have to take a moment to think about a high 17.”
LitterMania 2024
Will we see another 9 darts at the World Cup?
Martin Schindler and Damon Hetta also fell after eight perfect legs during this year's World Cup, while Christian Kist made his first nine-darter in a 3-1 defeat of Madars Razma on 18 December.
Kist launched Paddy Power's £180,000 BIGGER 180 bonus campaign with his stunning perfect leg, with the Dutchman earning £60,000, charity partner Prostate Cancer UK receiving the same amount and the remaining £60,000 going to a lucky random fan.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Christian Kist finds the first perfect leg in darts for the first set in his match against Madars Razma
“I've been watching him at a friend's house and haven't missed a session, apart from the night Ryan (Meikle) played Fallon (Sherrock),” added Littler, who beat Kist en route to last year's final on debut.
“I just looked at my mate and thought 'how did he do that? He wasn't even close last year!' It just shows how well he's played this year, so fair play to him – he's in for a great break!”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Watch every nine-dart shot at the PDC World Championship, with Christian Kist last to fire a perfect leg on the Alexandra Palace stage
Can White shock 'The Nuke' at Alexandra Palace?
Littler remains on a collision course to meet defending champion Luke Humphries in the semi-finals, with his next challenge coming against Ian White in the third round on Saturday – the winner will then face either Ryan Joyce or Ryan Searle in the final.
The Whites were handed a first-round exit after Sandro Eric Sosing withdrew due to illness and shocked European Championship winner Ritchie Edhouse with a 3-1 win in the next, with the 'Diamond' now targeting a famously upset Alexandra Palace.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ian White says he is ready to upset 'Runcorn's No 2' Luke Littler in the third round of the World Darts Championship
“Look, the guy's talented and we all know that,” White said ahead of the meeting. “He put the darts on the map again. Everyone wants to come and play darts and it's the best thing that ever happened to us.
“But I just want to say that he's from Runcorn – the same as me – so he's No. 2 and I'm No. 1!”
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 other top sports with SADA.