Key Highlights
- Luke Littler dominated his match against Mensur Suljovic and advanced to the last 16 of the PDC World Championship.
- Stephen Bunting’s exit in the third round marked him as one of the highest-ranked players to be eliminated this year.
- Jonny Clayton narrowly defeated Niels Zonneveld in a deciding set, setting up his next match against Andreas Harrysson.
- Luke Littler remains undefeated so far at the World Championship and is aiming for a back-to-back title.
Luke Littler Dominates but Stephen Bunting Fails to Qualify
In a standout performance, world number one Luke Littler demonstrated his prowess by defeating Austria’s Mensur Suljovic 4-0 in the third round of the PDC World Championship. The 18-year-old from Warrington showcased exceptional form, averaging over 107 and maintaining a clean sheet, setting him up for further challenges ahead.
The Teenager’s Form
With his perfect record intact, Littler’s performance at the World Championship has been nothing short of impressive. He is bidding to retain his PDC world crown, an achievement that hasn’t been seen since Scotland’s Gary Anderson managed back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
Littler’s dominance was evident from the start as he secured all four sets against Suljovic. “I’m really happy,” Littler told Sky Sports, highlighting his strong finishing skills with a 71% success rate. “The finishing was good – that’s the best I’ve felt at this tournament.”
Stephen Bunting’s Demise
In a twist of fate, Stephen Bunting, who had been seeded fourth and is a two-time semi-finalist at Alexandra Palace, found himself eliminated by world number 63 James Hurrell. The 41-year-old Englishman managed to push the match all the way to a deciding set but ultimately fell short with his final checkout being a clinical 100.
Bunting had been in good form going into the round, having demonstrated strong finishes throughout the tournament. However, Hurrell’s consistent performance ensured that Bunting would be the highest-ranked player to exit this year’s competition, marking an unexpected turn of events for the seasoned professional.
Other Notable Matches
In Saturday’s afternoon session, Jonny Clayton needed a deciding set to overcome Niels Zonneveld. The first six sets were closely contested with both players moving ahead on separate occasions. Ultimately, former Premier League champion Clayton secured victory in the second leg of the deciding set.
Upcoming Matches and More
Littler will next face either Australia’s Damon Heta or England’s Rob Cross, who was the 2018 world champion. The fourth round is also shaping up to be a competitive one with six third-round matches scheduled for Sunday.
Meanwhile, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson, and Rob Cross are among the former world champions hoping to secure their spots in the last 16 of this prestigious darts tournament. The schedule for Sunday includes several intriguing matchups, ensuring that fans remain engaged until the very end.
The PDC World Championship continues to provide thrilling moments as top players vie for the title and the chance to join the ranks of those who have managed back-to-back championships in recent history.
