Overview
- After a 4–2 round-of-16 win over Rob Cross, Littler confronted sections of the crowd at the venue.
- The Guardian describes a shift from adulation of the 16-year-old prodigy to mockery of the now 18-year-old.
- Commentary frames the tournament storyline as everyone against Littler heading into the final rounds.
- Despite the hostility, the defending champion has not been seriously threatened on the board so far.
- Littler is scheduled to face Krzysztof Ratajski in the quarterfinal on 1 January, with some outlets speculating about a possible final against Luke Humphries.