Luke Littler made to work in straight-sets win over David Davies

Luke Littler’s quest to defend his World Championship crown continues at Ally Pally as he takes on Wales’ David Davies. Littler is favourite for the tournament whilst Davies has been playing on the PDC’s second-tier circuit, the Challenger Tour. World No 1 Littler began his title defence with a straight-sets victory over Lithaunia’s Darius Labanauskas. Speaking after his first-round win, Littler admitted to a few nerves as he began the defence of his crown.

“It definitely was not easy and I am happy with the win,” Littler said. “There were a few nerves but once you win a leg and win a set, it settles you down. That first set was crucial against the darts. Everyone in the tournament wants to get through the first round. It is definitely the hardest game; it does not matter who you play. If you do not play well, you are not going to win, so I am very happy with that.”

Littler was named as one of the six nominees for BBC Sports Personality of the Year and was also up for Young Sports Personality of the Year but failed to win either. He is aiming to become the first player since Gary Anderson (2015 and 2016) to defend the title.

40-year-old Davies, who is a NHS area manager from Denbigh, beat Belgian Mario Vandenbogaerde in straight sets on his World Darts Championship debut eight days ago. The Welshman is guaranteed £25,000 after that victory. He qualified for the World Championship through the UK and Ireland qualifying tournament back in November. Davies has described Littler as a “different breed”.

“There are no games easy here, we are all here because we deserve to be,” said Davies. “But Luke on the other hand, he is a different breed, isn’t he? He has blown the sport to a different dimension. I am going to be the underdog in every single game I play. I have no got a tour card and people say this, that and the other, but I deserve to be here. I have won my first game and now Luke’s next. I will try my best and see what happens.”

The winner of this match will play Joe Cullen or Mensur Suljovic in the third round.

But before that match, world number nine Gerwyn Price takes on Wesley Plaisier for a place in the third round. The 2021 world champion from Wales could meet Littler in the quarter-finals so long as both players take care of their respective business.