‘I just wanted him to miss!’published at 23:07 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December
Littler 4-3 Joyce
Luke Littler, speaking to Sky Sports: “Honestly, I think I went into 10th gear at one point, I had
to. I said to Ryan, he hit everything at me!
“I thought I’d break Ryan in the first set but he comes and
hits me back. Then when we came on after the break, I break him again to go 2-1
up then it’s 2-2. If I’d held my own set then it would have been over and done
with. But I’ve got to dig deep.
“I just wanted him to miss! I just saw it 48% for Ryan [on doubles] and I was 35% again. But I had a lot of chances at the doubles while Ryan wasn’t close. I’m happy to win.
“I wouldn’t say I was nervous, it was more adrenaline. I knew in that last leg, ‘just hold your own for once in the game at least!’ and I did on that double 12 – it shows I can hit it.”
On potential nine-darters: “A few of the legs I ever started on 177 and thought ‘that’s the treble 19 out of the way’ but obviously I don’t end the year on five nine-darters.
“But hopefully I’ll start the New Year off strong and get nine-darter for everyone.”
On playing Nathan Aspinall next: “We’ve played plenty of times in the Premier League. He played very well this afternoon this afternoon.
“I just saw then I averaged 103 which I’m very happy with, another 14 180s, so chill tomorrow and come back New Year’s Day.”
On 2025: “I’ve not thought about it yet. I want to start the year off strong with a win over Nathan.”