27/12/2023

Supreme Luke Littler eases past Matt Campbell and into last 16 at World Darts Championship and possibly meets Raymond van Barneveld in next round

Luke Littler once again followed up his dream debut at the World Darts Championship. Matt Campbell also had to bow to the 16-year-old prodigy from England.

Littler had already made a sensational entrance to Alexandra Palace in the first round by beating Christian Kist 3-0 thanks to an average of 106. He then also dealt with UK Open champion Andrew Gilding (3-1). Against Campbell it was 4-1 for the English mega-talent.

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Campbell, still too strong for James Wade in the previous round, did not succeed for a moment in making it an exciting game. 'The Ginja Ninja' had not chosen an ideal preparation either. After his victory over Wade, he traveled back to Canada to celebrate Christmas with his family. Campbell then traveled back to London to work toward his third match.

The first two sets both went 3-0 to Littler, who showed impressive play especially in the second set with two 14-darters and a 12-darter. Campbell then had one chance to win the third set 3-2, but missed tops from 78. Littler then managed to hit double 20 to win the set 3-2.

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Set four also went to a deciding leg. Littler kept his own legs with a 15-darter and an 18-darter, while Campell recorded a 19-darter and a 13-darter. From 91, Littler had a matchdart, but he missed the bullseye. Campbell faced 120 and via "Shanghai 20," Campbell forced a fifth set.

In the fifth set, Littler again took the initiative with a 100 finish in the third leg, allowing him to throw for the match again. He had his chance from 110, but tops was not found. A miss by Campbell on double 16, however, gave Littler another chance, and with his third matchdart he finally hit it.

So at just 16 years old, Littler manages to make it to the last sixteen of the World Darts Championship. In the next round he might meet Raymond van Barneveld. The 56-year-old Dutchman still has to deal with Jim Williams in the third round;