Luke Littler comes through real battle with Ryan Meikle to kick-off World Darts Championship with incredible final set surge

Luke Littler didn't have it all his own way against Ryan Meikle in his opening match at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, but after a real battle the 17-year-old pre-tournament favourite has booked his place in round 3 with a 3-1 victory, averaging 140+ in the final set!

After an epic reception from the Ally Pally crowd, Littler looked as he needed some time to settle. Thanks a very below-par opening leg from last year's losing finalist, Meikle was allowed some nervy doubling before eventually taking the opening leg on throw. Kicking off the second leg with five perfect darts, those earlier nerves seemed to be settled for Littler. Meikle though, continued to more than hold his own own in the opening set. After Meikle missed four set darts in leg 4 though, Littler forced a decider before sealing the opening set with a brilliant double-double 100 checkout.

Meikle continued to hold his own in the second set. Quickly putting the disappointment of two missed set darts out of his mind, 'The Barber' broke the Littler throw to open the set up and then held solidly in the second leg to double his advantage in the set. Pinning a 74 checkout though, Littler got himself back into things as the 17-year-old struggled to pressure the Meikle throw, the left-hander pinned double 12 with his fifth set dart to level up the contest at 1-1.

With both averaging in the mid-to-low 90s, there wasn't much between the pair at all, as shown by the score line. Littler though, came out after the second interval looking to produce one of those mid-match surges, breaking the Meikle throw to kick off set 3. Meikle continued to threaten though, and after a couple of Littler misses, broke straight back immediately. The breaks of throw continued in the following leg, Littler pinning double 10 to move one leg away from a 2-1 advantage in sets. Double 10 was again successfully hit in the next leg, giving Littler that 2-1 lead.

Opening set 4 with six perfect darts, Littler was starting to really purr and sadly for Meikle it was coinciding with 'The Barber's level dropping off for the first real time in the contest. In the next leg Littler went even better, going eight darts into a perfect leg. Returning to pin double 6 for a 10-darter 'The Nuke' was suddenly one away from the victory. In the next leg, that victory was secured, sealing a 140+ set average!