[ad_1]
The Dutchman, the 29th seed, played well enough averaging 100 with 45 per cent on the doubles, but Littler was relentless and bullied him into a 4-1 defeat. He took a swift 1-0 lead and never looked like relinquishing it. Had Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross or anyone else left in this tournament put in those figures you would probably have them down as favourite.
In many ways every round this tournament has been a free hit for Littler, like it was for Cross when he won in 2018. That, along with his preternatural talent at chucking tungsten, is what makes him so dangerous.
What will his opponent this afternoon, Brendan Dolan, be thinking? I suspect he will be relishing the task of playing Littler. The Northern Irishman is the 28th seed and is enjoying a world championship resurgence, making the quarter-finals for the second time in his career and first time since 2019. In getting this far he has dumped two world champions, Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Price, out with impressive performances.
That said, if Littler plays like he can (or even close to it), Dolan will need to find a little more than he has had so far, with averages of 95, 96 and 94. The elder man is a more deliberate player and maybe slowing the young lad down a bit might serve him well. You sense, though, that Dolan must get ahead early on if he is to stop Littler’s incredible run.
[ad_2]
Source link
