Luke Littler produces ‘unreal’ display and almost breaks Players Championship record

Luke Littler has moved into the third round of the Players Championship with an almost recording breaking performance against Ross Smith in Minehead

Red light didn’t spell danger for Luke Littler who sailed into the third round of the Players Championship.

Ross Smith was the latest to face the wrath of the Nuke, who is looking more and more untouchable each time he toes the oche. The new World No.1 took out his favourite D10 to start the clash, and he didn’t look back.

Littler was in the mood for some exhibition shots, and he nailed 121 with a bull to take the second leg. Smudger wasn’t playing badly, he was averaging 108, but Littler was above 114.

And that average was only rising for Littler as he moved 3-0 into the lead while peppering the T20 segment. However, Smudger hit back on throw with an 11-dart leg as opening with five T20s.

He was starting to hit his stride, and a magical 157 checkout took him within one leg of the World Champion, with the darts in hand.

Littler, however, was still hitting the big numbers, as his average crept up to just below 120 while taking out a 10-dart leg.

The Nuke had the darts again, nailing 140 to open the leg, which led to a 24 checkout on D6 – moving him to within one of the win.

The Nuke finally took his foot off the accelerator, as his average tumbled below the recording-breaking number, allowing Smith to take another leg.

“This Littler and Ross Smith game has been unreal,” one fan shared after Littler has sunk his final double.

“Was about to say Wow what a performance by Gerwyn Price then Littler averages 120,” a second joked. While a third posted: “Smith has to bring his A game to beat Littler…and that’s not even enough.

And another added: “Littler is using a slightly altered throw today again and I think this one might be the best he’s used. It’s not as staccato as his usual ‘set up aim’ alternative but also less erratic and just more cautious than his usual.”