Tearful Littler hits record 140 set average in win

A tearful Luke Littler hit a tournament record 140.91 set average as he started his bid for the PDC World Championship title with a dramatic 3-1 win over Ryan Meikle.

The 17-year-old made headlines around the world when he reached the tournament final in January, when he lost to Luke Humphries.

Starting this campaign on Saturday, Littler was millimetres away from a nine-darter when he missed double 12 in the fourth and final set.

He was overcome with emotion at the end, cutting short his on-stage interview.

"It was probably the toughest game I've ever played," he said later in a news conference.

Littler started slowly againt Meikle, who had two darts for the opening set, but he took the lead by twice hitting double 20.

Meikle did not look overawed against his fellow Englishman and levelled, but Littler took the third set and exploded into life in the fourth.

The tournament favourite hit four maximum 180s as he took three straight legs in 11, 10 and 11 darts.

Two seeds crashed out on Saturday night – five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld lost to Welshman Nick Kenny, while England's Ryan Joyce beat Danny Noppert.

Littler returned to Alexandra Palace to a boisterous reception from more than 3,000 spectators and delivered an astonishing display in the fourth set.

He was on for a maximum after his opening two throws in both of the first two legs and completed the set in 32 darts - the minimum possible is 27.

The teenager will next play after Christmas against European Championship winner Ritchie Edhouse, the 29th seed, or Ian White, and is seeded to meet Humphries in the semi-finals.

Having entered last year's event ranked 164, the teenager is up to four in the world and will go to number two if he reaches the final again this time.

He has won 10 titles in his debut professional year, including the Premier League and Grand Slam of Darts.