Impressive Littler Eases Into Matchplay Last 16

World champion Luke Littler eased into nan 2nd information of nan World Matchplay successful Blackpool pinch a comfortable 10-2 triumph complete Ryan Searle.

The 18-year-old's maiden quality astatine nan Winter Gardens past twelvemonth had resulted successful a first-round defeat by Michael van Gerwen and he was keen to amends this clip around.

He was excessively bully for Searle from nan outset, winning nan first 4 legs pinch only 48 darts and he vanished pinch a superb mean of 108.92 and 52.6% connected his checkouts.

The world number 19 had nary reply to nan onslaught from Littler who avoided nan destiny that befell world number 1 Luke Humphries who was beaten successful his opening lucifer connected Saturday.

"I felt very comfortable retired there," Littler told Sky Sports. "I was good up for coming and I'm conscionable truthful gladsome to get that triumph and that winning feeling.

"As group know, I'm not a practiser, but I've been practising for this 1 and putting successful much clip astatine home. I'm gladsome it has paid disconnected and I can't hold to travel backmost for nan adjacent game."

Littler's force successful nan past 16 will beryllium Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena who hit 2021 champion Peter Wright 10-8.

Rob Cross, nan 2019 victor besides bowed retired aft a 10-8 nonaccomplishment to Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode but nan 2018 champion Gary Anderson hit Luke Woodhouse 10-5 to advance.