Luke Littler roars 'I'm still here' as the Nuke just dodges shock Betfred World Matchplay exit
The World Champion climbed off the canvas after his big on-stage outburst to beat Jermaine Wattimena in Blackpool
Fiery Luke Littler rifled an “I’m still here” warning as he produced a phenomenal fightback to stay in the Betfred World Matchplay.
The World Champion let loose with the emotions as he stormed back superbly to beat Jermaine Wattimena and book a quarter-final spot.
Littler was in huge trouble against the Dutchman after an out-of-sorts beginning which saw him bust his score in the opening leg and drop a staggering 7-2 behind.
The teenager was staring down the barrel, but, with his back to the wall in the 10th leg, he hit a winning shot and roared his defiant message.
Littler turned to his family and backers in the VIP section and shouted “I’m still here” and gave a calm down motion.
He was proven absolutely correct as he proceeded to reel off the next five legs in succession to move into the lead of the last 16 clash with big bursts of emotion.
Wattimena managed to stem the tide and stop the rot as he got it back to 8-8, but the momentum was all with the World Champion.
Littler was in full focus mode and even turned down one of his favourite Big Fish 170 finishes in his final surge to the winning line.
The Dutchman didn’t give it up and the game forged to a tie-break situation where it had to be won by two clear legs and the Ally Pally king got it done to go through with a 13-11 triumph.
Littler let out big emotions at the finale as he survived and, asked how, he said: “No idea. Ever since the first leg, it just didn’t go to plan. Obviously, I bust the 127 and I missed it and I missed my doubles. Then, obviously, tops tops, I said to myself, if you get this, just go off stage.
“After the second break, as some people may know, I say to myself, you’re on the stage until the end. When I won there, I pointed to the star on my shirt. I’m a World Champion for a reason. I find these gears when I need it.
“Jermaine, he was always behind me, but I think when I went on to win four or five legs, I said to myself, you’re in the lead for the first time now. Don’t let it slip away.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championships against Ryan Meikle. Bit nervous, but the crowd here, unbelievable. It’s only my third game here and I’ve won two of them. “Even after my first round game, I said to my family, I want to get back on stage. And right now, I can’t wait to be in the quarter-finals.”
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