Luke Littler progressed into the third round of the World Darts Championship, but he will be up against a darts star who was accused of ‘cheating’ by his last opponent
Luke Littler has revealed his next opponent Mensur Suljovic told him before the World Darts Championship started they would meet in round three. Littler, 18, continued his title defence with a straight sets victory over Welshman and NHS worker David Davies.
The teenager is still the heavy favourite to win at Alexandra Palace, especially after Gerwyn Price, who was in his quarter of the draw, was knocked out by Wesley Plaisier. Earlier in the day, Suljovic overcame Joe Cullen in a furious, but slow, encounter in the afternoon session.
Cullen was so angry with the Austrian’s slow playing style, he took to social media and accused him of ‘cheating.’ Suljovic shrugged off the comments and immediately started looking forward.
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However, he had been eying a clash with Littler before the tournament even started. After Littler overcame Davies in his match, the Nuke revealed he received a five-word text message from the 53-year-old.
In his post-match interview, when asked about the prospect of facing Suljovic, opened up about the cheeky message he received. Littler said: “I watched it this afternoon and Mensur, he played well. No one knows this.
“When the tournament draw came out, he messaged me and said: ‘See you in round three.’ So Mensur, lets have a great game.”
Littler will certainly be hoping he is felling better than Cullen at the end of his clash against the veteran. ‘The Rockstar’ was absolutely seething with Suljovic’s speed and was seen sarcastically looking at his watch while also mouthing ‘hurry up’.
At the end of their match, Cullen, while walking off stage, stopped in his tracks and unleashed a death stare at Suljovic, who was celebrating his win at the time. After the match, Cullen took to social media and slated the Serbian’s behaviour.
“If that’s darts, I don’t want no part of it,” Cullen said. “Always liked Mensur away from the board but that was plain for all to see!
“I don’t think I’m alone in feeling this way. The old guard will say it’s part of the game but word it how you will – it’s CHEATING! That’s not darts.”
It has been an ideal evening for Littler this evening. Cullen was being touted as somebody who could end Littler’s defence, while Ryan Joyce, who gave the teenager his toughest match in the World Championship last year, was knocked out by Krzysztof Ratajski.
World No. 8 and another potential quarter-final opponent Chris Dobey was also downed by Andrew Gilding last night, making Littler’s route to the final look a lot more favourable on paper.
Watch the World Darts Championship on Sky Sports
The PDC World Darts Championship gets underway on December 11 and fans can watch every match exclusively live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.
