'We all do feel for him': Luke Littler chimes with Jules van Dongen's darting demons after New York win

Luke Littler is through to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Darts Masters after taking down Jules van Dongen 6-1. He said that all players feel for what he is going through right now.

Van Dongen has had to learn to throw with his other hand with dartitis becoming a real problem. So while perhaps it was a good tie on paper for "The Nuke," it also posed a potential issue of being a war of attrition. 

"First game where us professionals go we just have to get past that first round and make it through to tomorrow's quarterfinals. That first leg I thought if this is the leg just win it, but no obviously I didn't play the best. He got a leg against me which obviously he'll be very proud of. That's just one of those games we had to get through and we all feel for him," said Littler to Online Darts.

"We all do feel for him but hopefully he can overcome whatever he's got going on."

He also said that his recent indifferent form is down to tweaking parts of his game and having some rest, and that he doesn't read too much more into it.

"I've just got to twiddle with the darts, a new point added the same just a black version. Usually using silvers. I had a family holiday and now we are here. But it's just a bit of match practice but obviously I do want to win this."

He also spoke about the upsets and said that he watches every game and that perhaps on a different day it would've gleamed further upsets.

"It's going to be a tough field. We've seen some upsets tonight, tomorrow I've got to flip the switch if I do want to go and win it. I always watch the TV to watch what's going on, love an upset and we will see how tomorrow.

"It's all about what happens of the day. There's probably other versions of Stephen Bunting that would've won tonight but it just depends what happens."

He added that while he doesn't remember the atmosphere in 2024 that Humphries discussed on Friday night.

"Luke Humphries walked into the practice room after the second or third game and said the atmosphere is unbelievable. We want to be playing our best darts in front of a crowd but hopefully it's better tomorrow night."