Luke Littler talking to Sky Sports: "I know what I've done for the sport but also lots of young children.

"There is no easy game throughout the year but to win that first game meant a lot. Not only for myself, I was fine coming into the game, but as soon as it started I was nervous. I asked my mum and dad after if I looked nervous and they said I looked fine, but I think they were lying.

"I've done a little bit of practice over Christmas, just an hour or two before I travelled down."

One year ago, he was barely a household name in his own home. Now he is a sporting phenomenon.

After emerging from obscurity aged 16 to reach the World Championship final, the life of Luke Littler and the sport he loves has been transformed. Viewing figures, ticket sales and social media interest have rocketed. Darts has hit the bullseye.

This Christmas more than 100,000 children are expected to be opening Littler-branded magnetic dartboards as presents.

His impact has helped double the number of junior academies, prompted plans to expand the World Championship and generated interest in darts from Saudi Arabian backers.

Read more here.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Luke Littler has brought the pressure on himself by being so successful and explosive.

He's dealing with it really well. The emotion at the end of the first-round game will happen.

He's been excellent, not just the way he's conducted himself here but throughout the year.

Michael van Gerwen is safely through.

He finished with a 97 average, just ahead of Brendan Dolan's 96.08.

MVG also hit 10 180s with Dolan getting six maximums.

What's next? Oh, that'd be Luke Littler...

Michael van Gerwen talking to Sky Sports: "It was tough, it was really hard and a really difficult game. Everybody can see he never gives up and you have to try and punish him at the right moments and I wasn't capable of doing it. I can only blame myself for that, but I was so glad that double eight went in at the end.

"I thought after 1-1 I produced two really good sets but then I let it slip away. The fifth set was really rubbish and you're not allowed to do that.

"You have to keep performing and believing in your own ability and you want to do the right thing for yourself. There is a lot of work still to do and I know I'm capable of doing it. I'm looking forward to the next round and let it roll on."

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

It was the middle part of the match where Michael van Gerwen did the damage. It just left Brendan Dolan with too much to do, despite a spirited comeback.

Michael van Gerwen gets the job done.

Sublime at times, a long way short of that at others, but Mighty Mike is through to the fourth round.

Even in the final leg, he makes a mess of things when needing 80 as he strays into the five.

That gives Brendan Dolan a chance but he does the same, meaning he is left needing another bullseye and this time he misses.

It takes three darts but MVG hits double eight on his next visit to advance.

Brendan Dolan does what he has to do - and in some style!

The heat was on after a 180 from Michael van Gerwen.

Even more so after a loose dart from Dolan when going for 123 but he hits the bullseye to rescue it and MVG will have to hold throw for the win.

A break from Dolan and we go to a deciding set...

Michael van Gerwen is one leg away from victory now after a strong hold.

He takes out 80 to wrap it up after exchanging 180s with Brendan Dolan earlier in the leg.

Dolan has to hold to make MVG earn it on his own throw.

Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports

We've been talking about this like it is has been over for the past 15 minutes or so but if Brendan Dolan wins two of the next three legs we'll have an even game and a decider.

Ruthless from Brendan Dolan.

Michael van Gerwen was waiting on 65 but Dolan nerveless takes out 64 in two darts to draw level in this sixth set.

Rod Studd
Commentator on Sky Sports

You feel like Brendan Dolan will always make his opponent win the game rather than giving it to them.

Double 14 cost him in the last set but Michael van Gerwen hits it this time to wrap up a comfortable hold.

Having averaged nearly 119 in the fourth set, MVG was down to the mid-80s in the fifth.

Looks like he is stepping it up again now, though.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Michael van Gerwen gifted that leg and set to the Brendan Dolan.

Michael van Gerwen is switching brilliantly to the treble 19 in this set.

A couple more instances in this leg get him down to 28 quickly.

However, he misses three at double 14 and even when Brendan Dolan misses tops to give him another chance, MVG can't convert.

Dolan returns and eventually hits double five to win the set. Game on?

Brendan Dolan escapes with a crucial hold.

Michael van Gerwen is pushing for the break of throw and has a dart at tops for 108 out.

But he misses and Dolan hits double 16 to edge ahead in the set.

After a rare off-leg to start the set, Michael van Gerwen is back on it and holds.

He takes a little longer than he'd like but hits double 16 and is now two legs from victory.

Just what the doctor ordered for Brendan Dolan.

He holds comfortably to start the fifth set. A 180 helps him to a 13-darter, sealed with a double 20.

Michael van Gerwen averaged 118.66 in that fourth set. Good luck dealing with that.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

Brendan Dolan just doesn't have an answer to Michael van Gerwen at the moment.

Michael's average is creeping towards 100 and his pace now is up, he's keen to get on with this.

That is a dominant set from him. He's in complete control on this tie.