Luke Littler explains World Championship 'frustration' as he hunts nine-darter
The Nuke is desperate to etch his name into the history books at the World Championship in London.
Luke Littler has revealed that he is becoming frustrated - but insists it's "in a good way" - with the cameraman adding to the pressure when he's on a nine darter at Ally Pally.
Last year's runner-up to Luke Humphries is aiming to go one better this year, and with a special nine-darter initiative being put on by sponsors Paddy Power, Littler has more motivation than ever to land a nine.
Paddy Power will pay out £180,000 whenever a player lands a nine darter. £60,000 goes to the player, £60,000 to charity and £60,000 to a lucky member of the crowd every time. Littler had a chance to achieve it, but narrowly missed out.
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Christian Kist is the only man to hit a nine so far this tournament, forcing the Irish bookmakers to shell out the aforementioned £180,000.
On his nine-dart near misses, Littler said: "It's definitely becoming a frustration in a good way. Obviously, as soon as you make the switch to the treble 19, your eyes light up. I heard the camera pan around to the winner, so I'm sorry whoever you are! I'll try again."
The teenage sensation once again missed double 12 to finish a leg in the fewest number of darts possible. He's not the only one, with Damon Heta and Martin Schindler also missing doubles to secure nine-darters.
Had Littler hit the nine dart finish it would have been his fifth of the year - which would have seen him become the first PDC player to achieve the feat.
He twice missed darts for perfect legs during his run to the final of the Grand Slam of Darts recently, and revealed that he was considering a different route to close out perfect legs.
Littler is the favourite to win the title next month. Last year he lost again Luke Humphries in the final in January. He beat Ryan Meikle 3-1 in his second round game a week ago and will be back in action on Saturday night when he takes on Ian White, who beat Ritchie Edhouse in round two. If all goes to plan, he is set to take on Humphries in the semi-final due to seeding.
So far this year two of the top five seeds have already been dumped out. Both Rob Cross and Michael Smith have been sent packing in the second round.
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