Luke Littler voices complaint immediately after winning Czech Darts Open first round

Luke Littler was in top form at the Czech Open with an opening victory, even if he had an unhelpful distraction on the oche.

The reigning world champion kicked off his latest European Tour event with a 6-2 win over Cameron Menzies in Prague, Czechia, but may not be looking forward to his next match.

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That’s because of the heat at the PVA Expo, as the 18-year-old explained post-win.

“It felt pretty hot,” he said. “As soon as I stepped on the first step I was like ‘wow this is hot’.”

The temperature didn’t impact Littler early on as he went 3-0 up, but his performance then flattened out as world No.33 Menzies got back into the match before being seen off.

Giving his view on how things played out, Littler added: “I started off really well. As the game went on I started to drop a bit, going below the treble.

“I thought Cammy was going to get into it. But I’m just glad to get over the line.

“Last year was unreal. I went 110, 116, 110 (averages) and then I lost to Luke (Humphries). But I felt pretty good.”

Littler went on to face Gian van Veen in the third round, but lost 6-4 to the Dutchman, ending a 19-game winning streak.

Speaking ahead of their bout, Littler praised Van Veen, but not the temperature.

“We always have a brilliant game,” he said of the Dutch prospect. “I think we’re both playing our best darts at the minute.

“But for myself it’s just another game and hopefully it’s not too hot.”

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Littler was looking to rack up back-to-back European Tour wins having won the Flanders Darts Trophy last week, but he misses out on the £30,000 prize pot.

Littler and Van Veen an emerging rivalry

Van Veen spoke shortly after his win and praised his defeated rival.

“The first leg was rubbish again. It’s not the first time over the past two weeks,” he said.

“The scoring went well throughout the game, he missed some chances, especially in the last leg when he missed the 25. But I’m really happy with this win.

“You saw last week how good he was in the final against Josh Rock. Josh hit 161 for seven-all. Luke turned out an 11-darter in the decider.

“He’s so good under pressure. When I hit the 76 to go 5-3 up. Then I thought just start well, but it was 59, 56. That leg is gone.

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“He started 140, 123, 180. Last leg as well but he missed those chances. That’s what won me the game.

“If it goes to a decider, you know what kind of beast Luke Littler is. It’s always going to be tough but luckily it didn’t go to a decider.”

Littler’s fan struggles abroad continue

Things had earlier got off to a less than ideal start when he was involved in a confrontation with a fan in Prague.

Posting on Instagram to his 1.9million followers, he wrote: “Just came to the hotel in Prague got a few pictures.

“Bearing in mind it’s 20 past 11 here, it’s busy, so got a few pictures with a few people.

“And as I’ve gone to walk off someone has grabbed me and wanted a picture, you don’t grab someone just ask nice how hard is it.

“And for the fella who came up to me and my dad, shouting: ‘Oi’ and then saying my behaviour is bad, and I’m not bigger and better than anyone DO NOT GRAB ME FROM BEHIND.

“That’s bad behaviour, not me, because as soon as he grabbed, I said: ‘Do not grab me’, and walked away.”

World No.2 Littler hasn’t always had the best experiences playing in Europe, having received unwelcoming reactions playing in both Berlin and Munich during German events.

Earlier this year he was booed by the Berlin crowd during a German Darts Grand Prix defeat, and then when the same happened in Munich he said he wouldn’t be returning to the country until he had to.

“Shouldn’t have been in Munich, but had to play anyway,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that,” he added, referring to the October event.