LUKE LITTLER’S lowest TV average stemmed from a “knock-on” effect of his clash with Gian van Veen, according to top pundit Wayne Mardle.
The Nuke and averaged just 83.94 as Stephen Bunting cruised to a 6-4 quarter-final victory on Night 10 of the Premier League.
Wayne Mardle claims Luke Littler’s lowest TV average stemmed from a ‘knock-on’ effect
That was caused by Littler’s rivalry with Gian van Veen
World No7 Bunting at double as he was handed the win in Brighton.
was heavily booed in the Brighton Centre arena and was nowhere near his usual standard.
Former pro Mardle reckons the teen sensation was on edge after his against Van Veen in Manchester.
He said: “I’m assuming tonight was a reaction to last week, although I don’t know.
“ looked quite flat, there were points where he was lobbing the darts, not petulantly but not with directness he normally throws.
“It would be more of a coincidence if we said it had nothing to do with last week, it was a knock-on from that. I thought he was going to be OK but he wasn’t.
“He’s going to have to get back on the horse soon.”
Ex-world champ John Part was also surprised how off the pace Littler was.
He said: “ did what he had to do. It must have been off-putting watching Luke play how he played.
“He really was off, you can speculate for whatever reasons. Bunting had to get on with it.
“He could have won the match 6-0 really. The first two legs Luke won he had no business winning. He didn’t look interested.
“But it’s always hard playing the World No1 and world champ. You can’t believe you are getting the chances. You can’t believe they are playing bad because that’s so rare.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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