LUKE LITTLER has insisted that Ryan Joyce’s comments before their match are “not good for his game”.
The two darts players will meet in the PDC World Championships last-16 on Monday evening.
Littler, 17, has reached the fourth round having beaten Ryan Meikle and Ian White in his two games so far.
Joyce has won three matches, having knocked out the likes of Darius Labanauskas, Danny Noppert and Ryan Searle.
Littler is the favourite heading into the match-up but has struggled at times in his two victories.
Against White, he had issues with the double 10 and double 20 slots but was able to get through to claim the win.
He did hit 12 180s and finished with an average of 97.84.
On the other hand, Joyce looked assured with his double throwing in the win over Searle on Saturday.
Despite impressing at the oche, Joyce has play down his chances of causing an upset against Littler.
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He said: “I haven’t got the scoring power consistency to compete with Luke Littler, but I can hit the doubles.”
Littler has since responded to the comment from Joyce but has insisted he is focusing on himself.
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He insisted: “I didn’t know he said that.
“If that’s what he’s thinking it’s not really good for his game.
“I’ve just got to focus on my game and it’s all about what happens on the day.”
After beating White, Littler joked that he “did not like” the double 20 or 10 due to his struggles at hitting them.
He said: “At 3-1, the 70 was massive. I don’t think double 10 or double 20 like me – and I don’t like them.
“The crowd were good for me and Ian. If they chant Ian White’s name, I will hit a 180.
“I know I have got to hit those doubles, 35 per cent tonight won’t get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles.”
Joyce, 39, has previously admitted he has often been lazy and complacent, usually just doing enough to cruise through the tour.
He revealed that he was “falling out of love” with darts as he found himself content with his position that saw him making £100,000 a year without practising very hard.
BELOW is a list of Darts world champions by year.
The list does not include winners from the pre-Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) era or BDO world champions.
That means Raymond van Barneveld, for example, is only listed once – Barney also won four BDO titles – and none of Eric Bristow’s five BDO titles are included.
Most World Titles
