Ally Pally 2025: Littler's Historic Entrance

Luke Littler made World Championship history as he defeated Ryan Meikle in the opening game of his 2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship campaign at Alexandra Palace on Saturday.

Littler averaged an astonishing 140.91 in the fourth and final set of his 3-1 win over Meikle – the highest ever set average in World Championship history.

The teenage sensation was embroiled in a battle with Meikle, before producing legs of 11, ten and 11 darts in the fourth set – narrowly missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish in the penultimate leg.

“That was probably the toughest game I’ve ever played, but you’ve got to get over the line,” said an emotional Littler, who will face Ritchie Edhouse or Ian White in round three.

“I don’t know where I pulled that last set from, but I just had to fight until the end.

“When I got on that stage I felt really nervous, but I managed to find my game from somewhere.

“I know I am the favourite, but you have to focus on winning your first game, and that’s what I did tonight.”

Day Seven of darts’ biggest event also saw Damon Heta miss a dart at double 12 for the second nine-darter of the World Championship in his 3-1 win over Connor Scutt.

Heta found himself 1-0 down to an in-form Scutt, but the Australian number one won nine of the next 11 legs to set up a meeting with Luke Woodhouse.

“At the end of the day it was all about the win, but that dart at double 12 was very frustrating,” Heta admitted.

“I felt like I was the underdog coming into the game.

“I know how good Connor is. He’s been flying, he has so much going for him, and he will do some amazing things.

“It would have been nice to top that win off by hitting the double 12, because I felt like I was in a zone. Things were happening!”

Chris Dobey defeated Alexander Merkx 3-1 in his first appearance on the Alexandra Palace stage since his heartbreaking quarter-final defeat to Rob Cross on New Year’s Day.

Dobey raced into a 2-0 lead, but after Merkx reduced the deficit, the former Masters champion produced a game-changing 122 checkout on his way to taking the fourth set.

“I was up for the challenge today, and I managed to stay focused,” said Dobey.

“The 122 was a key moment, especially after he missed the bull for a 121. It felt like it had to go at that moment, and luckily for me it went in.

“I have been working really hard in practice. My floor game has been brilliant this year.

“I am happy with where my game is at the minute, and hopefully I can keep pushing on!”

Five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld suffered a crushing 3-1 defeat to Nick Kenny, who took advantage of an out-of-sorts Dutchman.

Former quarter-finalist Ryan Joyce dumped out 13th seed Danny Noppert, defeating the Dutchman 3-1 to book his place in the last 32 for the first time since the 2018/19 event.

Two-time quarter-finalist Brendan Dolan claimed a 3-0 win over Lok Yin Lee, while Rhys Griffin and Alexis Toylo also enjoyed 3-0 debut victories over Karel Sedlacek and Richard Veenstra.

The Paddy Power World Darts Championship continues on Sunday, as two-time World Champion Gary Anderson begins his campaign against Swedish number one Jeffrey de Graaf.

Joe Cullen and Dirk van Duijvenbode headline the afternoon session, while Anderson, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Ross Smith star in the evening.

Click here for match stats & results.

2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship

Saturday December 21

Afternoon Session

2x First Round, 2x Second Round

Rhys Griffin 3-0 Karel Sedlacek (3-2, 3-2, 3-0) (R1)

Alexis Toylo 3-0 Richard Veenstra (3-2, 3-2, 3-2) (R1)

Brendan Dolan 3-0 Lok Yin Lee (3-2, 3-0, 3-1) (R2)

Chris Dobey 3-1 Alexander Merkx (3-1, 3-0, 0-3, 3-1) (R2)

Evening Session

4x Second Round