Fallon Sherrock suffers heartbreak as Luke Littler learns World Darts ...

Fallon Sherrock agonisingly missed the chance to face Luke Littler in the second round of the PDC World Championship, as Ipswich's Ryan Meikle earned a tie against the 17-year-old sensation.

Meikle beat the history-making Sherrock 3-2 on Tuesday in a pulsating clash which went all the way. Sherrock, 30, became the first ever woman to win a match at the world championship in 2019, reaching the third round.

But she suffered heartbreak this time around, having claimed the first and fourth sets. On commentary for Sky Sports, ex-world champion John Part describes this final set as a 'battle of wills' - and 'the Barber' Meikle came out on top.

Sherrock's boyfriend, Cameron Menzies, was also knocked out last night as she watched from the VIP area. Scot Menzies broke down in tears at the oche during his 3-1 defeat to the USA's Leonard Gates.

Meikle said after his epic victory: "I felt good coming into the match. But before I knew it, she won the first set and I was on the back foot. I felt under pressure from the start and to come through that, I just feel unbelievable. The crowd were behind Fallon - the atmosphere was unbelievable - and I just feel lucky to come through that in the end."

On playing Littler next, the 28-year-old replied: "For me, it's an unbelievable prize, to play Luke Littler on this stage - the biggest stage of them all. No-one knows what is going to happen on Saturday, but to play him here, I'm really happy. I'm not going to say that I'm going to win, but I just can't wait to play him."

Who'll go through - Ryan Meikle or Luke Littler? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

Sherrock admitted: "It was a struggle tonight but I gave it absolutely everything, I couldn't have done any more. I kept digging in to stay in the game and I never gave up. I'm happy to win two sets but obviously gutted to lose. It hurts at the moment but there are positives I can take from tonight going forward.

"I really felt like the 170 was going to go - it felt like the Gabriel Clemens moment [at the 2021 Grand Slam of Darts] all over again - but it wasn't to be. I always love playing at Ally Pally and the crowd gave me great support tonight."

Teenage sensation Littler shocked the sporting world last year with a stunning run to the final, where he was beaten by Luke Humphries. The reigning champion won his first match on Sunday and won't play again until after Christmas, allowing him to enjoy a festive break.

Earlier on Tuesday, day three of the 2024-25 championship, Ricardo Pietreczko beat Xiaochen Zong 3-1, with Jeffrey de Graaf knocking out Rashad Sweeting by the same scoreline.

2020 champion Peter Wright will face Dutchman Wesley Plaisier in Tuesday's final match.

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