- Luke Littler competed on home soil for the first time since his Ally Pally triumph
- He averaged over 104 and dropped just one leg in a statement opening victory
- The 18-year-old sensation will face James Wade for a place in the quarter-finals
Luke Littler took just 10 minutes to cruise into the second round of the World Masters after dispatching Andy Baetens 3-0 in Milton Keynes last night.
The 18-year-old dropped just one leg in a commanding display and will next face James Wade to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Competing on home soil for the first time since becoming darts’ youngest champion, Littler averaged 104.33 to thoroughly outclass his opponent.
He was typically unerring on the outer ring, hitting his first four attempts at a double, and ended the night with a success rate of six from nine.
Baetens initially kept pace with the teenage sensation, the duo exchanging holds in the opening set, but Littler stepped up a gear and won five consecutive legs.
‘My finishing was very good tonight and it needed to be, because Andy is a dangerous player,’ Littler told the PDC’s official website.
Luke Littler cruised into the World Masters second round after beating Andy Baetens 3-0
The world champion, 18, dropped just one leg in a commanding display in Milton Keynes
‘I would love to win another major title, and obviously this would be a new major to add to the list, but it’s a very strong field, so I’m just going to focus on tomorrow.’
Michael van Gerwen, who lost out to Littler in the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace, also progressed after a 3-1 win over Bradley Brooks.
The Dutchman, a three-time world champion, won seven out of nine legs.
‘I felt really comfortable tonight,’ said Van Gerwen.
‘I could have easily averaged over 100, but you have to live with it and move on, and I have to make sure I’m even sharper in the next round.’
Van Gerwen will face Dimitri Van den Bergh in the next round after he reeled off six straight legs to get the better of Gary Anderson.
There were also wins for the likes of Jonny Clayton, Nathan Aspinall and Ryan Searle, while Luke Humphries progressed on Thursday after beating Joe Cullen 3-1.
