Luke Littler produced a nine-dart finish as he defeated Nathan Aspinall 11-8 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay, BBC News reported.
The world number one and defending champion made a spectacular start at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, completing a perfect opening leg on double 15. Aspinall responded with disbelief before congratulating his fellow Englishman.
Littler almost repeated the feat in the fourth leg, again needing double 15 for another nine-darter, but narrowly missed. Aspinall later fought back to 7-7, but Littler won the next three legs to regain control.
Aspinall kept himself in the contest, but after missing tops in the 19th leg, Littler checked out 52 to seal victory. He finished with a 113.68 average, described by BBC News as the second highest in the tournament’s history, and hit 14 maximums.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Littler said the nine-darter “just happened” and described the match as probably the best he and Aspinall had played against each other. He added that he hoped to win the title again but was focused on his next opponent.
Littler will next face Josh Rock, who beat Stephen Bunting 11-6. The two also met in last year’s Matchplay semi-final.
Elsewhere, Michael van Gerwen was knocked out after a 14-12 defeat by fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, despite recovering from 8-4 down to level at 10-10. Scotland’s Gary Anderson also advanced with an 11-7 win over Wales’ Jonny Clayton.
