Ryan Meikle is “over the moon” that all the pressure is on Luke Littler for their second match at the World Darts Championship on Saturday, saying “I've got a chance”.
Meikle cruised past Fallon Sherrock in their first round on Tuesday night, coming back from 1-0 down to eventually prevail 3-2.
The win sets up a meeting with 17-year-old sensation and fourth seed Littler, in his first match back on the Alexandra Palace stage after bursting onto the scene with his stunning run to the final of the last year.
“For weeks now, since the draw came out, people have kept saying, 'maybe you play Littler',” Meikle said.
“Social media and stuff, I was everywhere – I've never had so much attention in my life, and it's not because of who I am.
Luke Littler could have faced Sherrock in a big match in the second round at the Worlds
“Everyone wanted a Littler-Fallon second round, which I understand – I know how big that would be, I'm not stupid. But secretly, that gave me more motivation.
“I'm looking forward to playing him and I'm lucky to play him, especially here, where everything happened for him.
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What a year it has been for Littler, from his breakthrough at the World Championships as a 17-year-old to winning the Premier League title. Let's take a look at his amazing 2024
“I'm not going to tell you that I'm going to win, but I have a chance, so you never know.”
Meikle will certainly need to improve on his 83.53 average recorded in his win over Sherrock if he is to trouble Littler on Saturday, but he says the pressure is off – with the his opponent is his favorite.
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Sherrock produced 78 to storm into a 1-0 lead before Meikle came back
“Tonight was a big one to get through,” Meikle said. “Until Saturday, there's no pressure on me now.
“I'm sure there will be a lot of pressure on him, obviously in terms of the media and the television.
“I don't want to slow it down or make any innovations. Hopefully I can just relax and play my best game.
“I don't think he has any weaknesses, to be fair. I think he's incredible.”
Sherrock was also burdened with greater expectations when he faced Meikle, but four consecutive years of first-round exits have seen her exit from the incredible third-round run. her first visit five years ago.
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Sherrock became the first woman to beat a man at the World Championship in 2019 with a win over Ted Evetts
“I'm very happy to get over the line, it was a big battle,” Meikle admitted.
“Fallon hasn't played like he has in recent years, and I expected the best version of Fallon.
“She's a big name, and what she's done for women's darts is unbelievable, but I'm glad she didn't play better, because she might have beaten me.
“Tour-wise, average-wise, I like to think I'm a better player, but you've got to go up there and show that. I don't know if I did that, but I hit several doubles and got. there in the end.”
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Take a look back at the afternoon session of Day Three at the World Darts Championship
What next?
We have just one action session for you on Wednesday 18 December, which you can watch live on Sky Sports Darts from 7pm.
Jim Williams will face Paolo Nebrida and Madars Razma will face Christian Kist, while Ricky Evans will play Gordon Mathers before Nathan Aspinall begins his competition against Leonard Gates.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch all the matches live until January 3 on Sky Sports' exclusive darts channel. Stream darts and more sports favorites with NOW.
