The Dutchman, the twenty ninth seed, performed nicely sufficient averaging 100 with 45 per cent on the doubles, however Littler was relentless and bullied him right into a 4-1 defeat. He took a swift 1-0 lead and by no means seemed like relinquishing it. Had Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross or anybody else left on this event put in these figures you’ll in all probability have them down as favorite.
In some ways each spherical this event has been a free hit for Littler, prefer it was for Cross when he gained in 2018. That, alongside along with his preternatural expertise at chucking tungsten, is what makes him so harmful.
What’s going to his opponent this afternoon, Brendan Dolan, be pondering? I think he will probably be relishing the duty of enjoying Littler. The Northern Irishman is the twenty eighth seed and is having fun with a world championship resurgence, making the quarter-finals for the second time in his profession and first time since 2019. In getting this far he has dumped two world champions, Gary Anderson and Gerwyn Worth, out with spectacular performances.
That mentioned, if Littler performs like he can (and even near it), Dolan might want to discover a bit of greater than he has had up to now, with averages of 95, 96 and 94. The elder man is a extra deliberate participant and possibly slowing the younger lad down a bit would possibly serve him nicely. You sense, although, that Dolan should get forward early on if he’s to cease Littler’s unbelievable run.