Luke Littler into last 16 at 2025 PDC World Darts Championship despite early nerves vs Ian White

Luke Littler hopes of a first PDC World Darts Championship title live on. The 17-year-old has ensured a last 16 meeting with Ryan Joyce at the Alexandra Palace after coming through a real battle with Ian White 4-1 this Saturday night.

In a battle of Runcorn's number one and number two as Ian White playfully called it pre-match, it was the self-proclaimed number one White, who actually started the stronger. After two holds of throw in the opening couple of legs, 'Diamond' punished some lax Littler doubling in leg 3 to break throw and fashioned a set dart in leg 4. After White dropped low on tops to go 1-0 up though, Littler kept himself in it with a 37 checkout to force a decider to set 1. With a pop-pop 52, Littler then took the opening set, moving 1-0 up.

He might have won the opening set, but Littler was yet to really spark into life, averaging below 90 and White continued to prove dangerous, taking the opening leg of set 2 with a comfortable hold and then breaking in leg 2 with a ruthless 86 checkout. With a 114 checkout though, Littler broke straight back. After White then missed two set darts in leg 4 though, Littler failed to punish on this occasion, allowing 'Diamond' to return and pin double 5 for a level game.

Putting the disappointment of set 2 out of his mind though, Littler finally arrived in set 3. Storming through the set in three straight legs, the 17-year-old averaged around 115 for the set to get back in front at 2-1 and regain control of the contest.

White though, stopped the rot of losing legs in the opening of set 4 with a much needed hold of throw. Littler though, fired back with a hold of his own in leg 2 and then really put the pressure on his compatriot in leg 3. After White missed a dart at tops for a 120 finish, Littler's pressure paid off and he pinned double 10 for a 2-1 lead in set 4. Both then missed on the outer ring in the next leg, but eventually it was White who found the double to force a deciding leg to the set. White even had first set dart in the decider, but couldn't find tops at the end of a 110 checkout, allowing Littler to nail double 10 for a set winning 70.

Starting set 5 with a dominant hold, Littler began to inch towards a place in the last 16. White kept coming through, making Littler work for everything as he immediately levelled the set back up. Double 5 again came to Littler's rescue in leg 3 though, moving the 17-year-old one leg away. Although he couldn't quite seal victory with a 170, Littler returned to secure the 4-1 win.