Luke Littler might have already won the battle of the mind games with Ryan Joyce ahead of their upcoming World Darts Championship clash.
Joyce progressed to the last-16 with an enthralling 4-3 victory over No 20 seed Ryan Searle in a high-scoring match.
But the 39-year-old openly admitted that he might struggle to compete against Littler in the next round.
He said: “I haven’t got the scoring power consistency to compete with Luke Littler, but I can hit the doubles.”
Luke Littler faces Ryan Joyce in the next round
PA
Responding to these remarks, Littler suggested such thinking could be detrimental to Joyce’s performance.
“Didn’t know he said that,” Littler said.
“I’ve just got to focus on my game and it’s all about what happens on the day.
“If that’s what he’s thinking it’s not really good for his game.”
Littler secured his place in the last-16 with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Ian White at Ally Pally.
The youngster hit an impressive 12 maximum 180s during the match, recording a 97.84 average against White.
Despite the convincing scoreline, Littler was made to work for his win, with White missing set darts in two of the four sets he lost.
Luke Littler fancies his chances of going deep in the tournament
PA
The match showcased both players’ scoring prowess, with White frequently matching Littler’s 180s with maximums of his own.
The 17-year-old remained focused on his own performance, showing little concern for his opponent’s pre-match doubts.
Before his match against White, Littler had displayed remarkable composure, even singing along to his opponent’s walk-on tune – Play That Funky Music – while waiting for his turn.
Littler acknowledged room for improvement in his finishing, having checked out just 35.14 per cent of his doubles against White.
The teenager made light of his struggles with his usually reliable double 10 and double 20.
“I don’t think double 10 or double 20 like me – and I don’t like them,” he joked to Sky Sports after the match.
“I know I have got to hit those doubles, 35 per cent tonight won’t get me anywhere. I need to get those doubles.”
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Ryan Joyce has played down his chances
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Littler will return to face Joyce in the afternoon session on Monday at Alexandra Palace.
The winner of this last-16 clash could potentially set up a highly anticipated semi-final against Luke Humphries, should the tournament progress as expected.
This would mark another chapter in a rivalry that has captivated darts over the past 12 months, with Humphries having faced Littler in last year’s final.