Darts LIVE: Peter Wright comments backfire as Wayne Mardle left bemused after Littler win | Other | Sport

Peter Wright was defeated in the opening round at Alexandra Palace, and he will have been swiftly reminded of his comments before a dart was thrown.

Before his tournament begun, the two-time world champion – who has been in mixed form this year – said: “It’s good because it takes the pressure off me, everyone is talking about them to win it so I will let everyone talk about them,” he said.

“Don’t write me off because I am going to be there right at the end. There is no reason why I can’t win. I know how to win it, I know what you have got to do.

“There are a lot of players who haven’t won it and are still trying to find how to win it and what to do at the right time.”