After Luke Littler’s emphatic victory at the Polish Darts Open, Josh Rock believes the Warrington ace is still “the man to beat” in this year’s Premier League.
Littler, who has struggled in the first three weeks of the Premier League, was in devastating form and averaged a touch over 108 and hit seven 180s on his way to a crushing triumph in Krakow at the weekend.
The teenage phenom, who comfortably disposed Ross Smith, Josh Rock and Chris Dobey to make his way into the final, claimed the title with an 8-4 victory over Gian van Veen, who hit a nine-dart finish in the final.
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Gian van Veen hits an incredible nine-darter in the Poland Darts Open final against Luke Littler.
Although Littler sits outside the top four positions in the standings, debutant Rock, who has suffered a hat-trick of 6-2 defeats in this season’s competition, warned the rest of the pack: “The Polish Open is a ranking tournament and they always turn up at a ranking tournament. He’s the world No 1 and world champion for a reason. He is the man to beat.”
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Highlights of the semi-final game between Littler and Jonny Clayton in Glasgow
Rock has lost to Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton on successive Thursday nights, but is hoping to kick-start his campaign when he takes on World Championship finalist Van Veen in the quarter-finals.
He said: “I haven’t been playing badly. Everybody’s just been playing better than me. Jonny averaged 110 and obviously I averaged 106, so there’s not much you can do unless you’re hitting 110s yourself.
“I think it’ll mean more than any other night [playing in Belfast], obviously, but I wouldn’t say it’s added pressure. I think I’ll maybe enjoy it a lot more, because all my family and friends are there, so I don’t think it’s added pressure.
“I’ve been unlucky – everybody’s just been playing well at the moment. Hopefully, that’ll turn around now.”
Rock, who won the World Cup of Darts for Northern Ireland alongside Daryl Gurney last year, claimed the soap in the toilets during his pre-game visit to the bathroom affected his grip after losing to Michael van Gerwen in Antwerp on Night Two.
“I was laughing and joking just before I went up on stage in Glasgow saying I had wipes beside my case for a laugh, just to make a bit of fun of it,” laughed Rock. “Stuff like that doesn’t bother me.
“I don’t dwell on anything bad, so I’m usually one who’s quick to forget everything that’s bad. I’ve been playing decent enough in this Premier League, I just haven’t got the results just yet.”
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Rangers fan Josh Rock is booed during his walk on and practice in Glasgow
Rangers supporter Rock was booed by a minority in Glasgow last week, and the 24-year-old added: “I love it. If you’ve watched my walk-ons, I’ve been smiling every time walking down that oche because I know what I’m there for in the Premier League, playing in these big arenas.
“Standing before the doors open for the public, we were all having a practice on the stage and I just looked around and went ‘wow, that’s big’ – you dream to play in arenas and I’m just grateful I’m playing in them.
“I don’t know what to expect from Belfast. Hopefully a lot of cheering. I would like to think obviously a homeboy in town, but we’ll see what happens.”
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Rock hit this sensational checkout to silence the minority in Scotland
What’s happening on Premier League Night Four in Belfast?
Rock headlines Premier League Night Four in Belfast
Rock will take centre stage, with the Northern Irishman facing fellow Premier League newcomer Van Veen.
Littler faces Jonny Clayton, with Stephen Bunting up against Humphries, while Michael van Gerwen will be aiming to return from his absence in Glasgow to take on Gerwyn Price in a must-watch quarter-final tie.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will be defending his title and you can watch the action every single Thursday until May on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.