Luke Littler lived up to the hype at Alexandra Palace (Picture: Kieran Cleeves/PDC)
Darts prodigy Luke Littler proved that the hype is real on his World Championship debut as he thrashed Christian Kist 3-0 in his opening round game in a hypnotically brilliant display.
The 16-year-old showed no signs of nerves in his first match in the sport’s biggest event, averaging an eye-watering 106.12, hitting seven 180s and 50 per cent of his doubles in a dominant win.
Given the level of expectations for Littler he went into the game as favourite, but it was no jobber he was playing, with Kist a former BDO world champion and someone who has shown good form this season.
The Dutchman didn’t even play badly himself on Wednesday night, but it was nowhere near enough to deal with the rampant teenager.
‘Over the moon,’ Littler told Sky Sports. ‘My debut, my first game and I can’t believe how quickly I settled into the game. I was a bit nervous walking out but as soon as I found my rhythm, that was it.
‘It’s got to be at the top [of my achievements so far]. I’ve been playing since I was 18 months old, looking up to Phil Taylor, I know he’s watching so that one’s for you, Phil. I’m over the moon.’
Another former BDO champion Mark Webster told Sky Sports: ‘That’s title-winning form and he’s a serious threat in this competition now. I think he can win the whole thing.’
Before the tournament started, Littler said that he liked his odds in the first two matches, firstly against Kist and then current UK Open champion Andrew Gilding who he now faces on Thursday night.
‘If my game is there then I have a decent chance of winning my first two games,’ he said.
‘I watched the draw in Gibraltar, seeing I have Christian Kist and then [Andrew] Gilding. Not to be big-headed but I do fancy my chances against Kist and then if I do win, I do fancy my chances against Gilding.’
MORE : Luke Littler didn’t know he is facing a former world champion at Alexandra Palace
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