Mensur Suljovic is doing all he can to trouble Luke Littler. He sets up a 108 finish to hold throw.

But he can't even get a dart at doubles, and Littler cleans up.

The best match average so far at this tournament is 108.28, set by Gian van Veen in round two.

Littler is currently going at 111.14.

He lands a 180 to start off set three.

Only cheaper.

Luke Littler is aiming to become the first player to successfully defend the PDC world title since Gary Anderson did so in 2016.

Stephen Bunting's earlier exit has opened up Littler's half of the draw even more - they were seeded to meet in the semi-finals.

Providing Littler gets the job done tonight, here's his potential route to the final - if results go according to world rankings (which, let's face it, probably won't happen given how this tournament has gone)...

• Fourth round: Damon Heta or Rob Cross
• Quarter-final: Luke Woodhouse or Krzysztof Ratajski
• Semi-final: Jonny Clayton, Martin Schindler or Ryan Searle
• Final: Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen or Josh Rock

He is old enough now, after all.

Both men were smiling as they exited the stage for the break. Mensur Suljovic looked to the area where friends and family sit - they will all know there is not much he can do here.

Six legs on the spin for Littler.

Mensur Suljovic is not playing badly - he's averaging 98. But he is playing Luke Littler.

What's this? A visit of 45 from Littler! Does that open the door for Suljovic...

But Littler slams the door with a 105 finish, going all around the houses from bull to tops.

Remarkable.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

Image source, PA Media

Early stages, we've only had five legs, but at the moment this is a steamrollering.

Another 180 for Littler, the sixth of the match between these two players.

He then lands 139 to set up a 42 finish - and though he's short of tops, he nails D10.

Mensur Suljovic is playing at a quicker pace than in round two, when he so irritated Joe Cullen. He's having to dance to the Luke Littler beat.

Suljovic can break here with a 140 out - but his second T20 is missing.

And Littler checks out 101, seemingly without trying.

Littler averaged 110 in the first set and won it in five and a half minutes.

At this rate we'll be done before the pubs close.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

You can't fault Littler's performance. You always want to look the best when you're world number one and defending champion.

He started a little slowly in the first match but had all the answers, and then he started slower in the second one and got going there.

If it is slow and awkward and he can just get the job done and not drop a set, that's the number he's looking at now.

I bet your partner loved that, Steve.

Image source, Getty Images

There is something so enjoyable about watching Luke Littler throw darts. Such easy flow.

He knocks up another 180, his second of the match - before Suljovic responds with a maxi of his own.

So Littler obviously puts in another 180. Obviously.

He cleans up the 42 finish. Vintage Littler.

Mensur Suljovic has improved after that false start, and hits a 180. He's on a finish first!

But he can't find 138, and Littler lands a routine 80.

Not the second visit Suljovic would have wanted - 31 from three darts.

Littler responds with 140 - then on his next visit, hits his first maximum of the match.

The top seed has time to set up a 66 finish, but misses tops. Could Suljovic land 167 in return?

No.

Littler breaks in the first leg of the match.

There are 35 years between these players - 53-year-old Mensur Suljovic facing Luke Littler, 18.

Suljovic is a wily contender, who messaged Littler after the draw saying "see you in round three."

But can he contend with the best in the world? Suljovic throws first, game on.

The man most in Ally Pally came to see tonight has taken to the stage.

The Nuke hasn't been at his explosive best so far at the World Championships - is Luke Littler ready to go tonight?

Image source, PA Media

Joe Cullen said Mensur Suljovic's slow style of play was akin to "cheating", but Austrian Suljovic denied using any specific tactics in his second-round success against the Englishman.

"Joe's felt like he's slowed it down. It's not cheating," said world champion Luke Littler after his own second-round win.

"It's just for Mensur, obviously he flicks his flight and he's doing it until he feels settled. And if he does it a bit longer against me, then I just have to wait for him and throw my darts."

Asked how he will cope with Suljovic's slower style in their third-round tie, Littler added: "As a player, you've just got to face what's in front of you. You've got to face the challenges of what the player's going to do.

"There was a lot of talk about Mensur throwing slow. I've just got to be ready for it and see what happens.

"For myself and a lot of other players, we have fast throws.

"You don't want to be stood there for as long. Because you're getting cold and you just want to get on with it. But if you start off darts slow like Mensur, he's not going to change for anyone. He's not going to change for me. He's just going to do his job and he wants to win. I want to win."