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“Over the moon” Ryan Meikle believes all the pressure is on Luke Littler for their second round match at the World Darts Championship on Saturday, adding “I’ve got a chance”.
Meikle defeated Fallon Sherrock in their first round meeting on Tuesday night, coming back from 1-0 down to eventually win 3-2.
Victory set up a meeting with 17-year-old sensation and fourth seed Littler, in his first match on the Alexandra Palace stage after bursting onto the scene with his stunning run to last year’s final.
“For weeks now, since the draft was drawn, people have been saying, ‘you could play Littler,'” Meikle said.
“Social media and stuff, I’ve been everywhere – I’ve never had so much media attention in my life, and it’s not because of who I am.
Luke Littler could face Sherrock in the big match of the second round of the World Championship
“Everybody wanted a second round of Littler-Fallon, which I can understand – I know how big it would be, I’m not stupid. But secretly, it gave me more motivation.
“I’m looking forward to playing with him and I’m happy to play with him, especially here, where it all happened to him.
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What a year it has been for Littler, from his World Cup breakthrough as a 17-year-old to winning the Premier League title. Let’s take a look at his amazing year 2024
– I won’t tell you that I will win, but I have a chance, so you never know.
Meikle will certainly need to improve on his average of 83.53 recorded in his win over Sherrock if he is to tire Littler on Saturday, but says the pressure is off – as his opponent is heavy favourite.
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Sherrock made 78 for a 1-0 lead before Meikle returned
“Tonight was tough to get through,” Meikle said. “There is no pressure on me on Saturday.
“I’m sure he will have a lot of pressure on him, obviously from the media and TV.
“I don’t want to slow him down or do any tactics. Hopefully I can just relax and play my best game.
“I don’t think he has any weaknesses, to be honest. I think he’s amazing.”
Sherrock was also saddled with higher expectations when she faced Meikle, but it has now been four straight years of first-round exits since her remarkable, pioneering third-round performance on debut five years ago.
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Sherrock became the first woman to beat a man at the 2019 World Championships with a win over Ted Evetts
“I’m relieved to get over the line, it was a huge battle,” Meikle admitted.
“Fallon didn’t play like she did a few years ago, and I was expecting the best version of Fallon.
“She’s a big name and what she’s done for women’s darts is amazing, but I’m glad she didn’t play her best because she probably would have beaten me.
“On the tour, on average, I like to think I’m a better player, but you have to go up there and show it. I don’t know if I did, but I hit a couple of pars and got it in the end.”
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Take a look back at the evening part of the third day of the World Darts Championship
What’s next?
We’ve got just one 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 top sports with NOW.
