27 December 2023 , 20:09
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Darts sensation Luke Littler continued his fairytale Ally Pally run as the 16-year-old breezed past Canada's Matt Campbell 4-1.
The Warrington native has taken the darting world by storm after bursting on to the scene with a 106 average in his first-round victory over former Lakeside world champion Christian Kist.
He was made to work harder and dropped a set in his second-round clash with reigning UK Open champion Andrew Gilding, but still came through to take on Campbell after the Christmas break.
Littler raced into a two-set lead, winning all six legs much to the delight of a partisan crowd in north London.
Campbell rallied in set three and missed five darts to win it 3-0. But Littler hit back to force a deciding leg, and after Campbell missed a further set dart, he moved himself to the brink of victory.
Luke Littler, 16, routs Brendan Dolan as darts wonderkid's fairytale run goes on
The fourth set also went to a decider, and Littler had a dart at the bullseye to record a whitewash win, but Campbell showed his mettle by checking out 120 to get himself on the board.
Littler hit the biggest checkout of the match in the first leg of the fifth set, pinning 164 on the bullseye. He closed out the set 3-1, hitting his eighth 180 of the contest in the final leg to confirm his spot in the last 16, the youngest player to ever do so.
Littler embraces Campbell after his win (PA)Afterwards, Littler delighted the crowd by announcing he would be indulging in his now legendary post-match kebab.
He said: "It's unbelievable. I only wanted to win one game and I have won three and I have battled through it. I am so happy.
"I just let my darts do the talking, everyone on social media saying, 'He's this age', but I let my darts do the talking.
"As soon as I won that first game I have just settled."