Luke Littler edged into the quarter-finals of the Australian Darts Masters after beating New Zealand’s Haupai Puha in a last-leg shoot-out.
Littler, the reigning world and World Matchplay champion, averaged simply 91.80 throughout his 6-5 win in Wollongong, which he sealed with a 13-darter in opposition to the throw.
The 18-year-old had squandered a match dart within the earlier leg, lacking the bull after two profitable treble 20s as he threatened to clinch victory in fashion with a 170.
Littler will face Damon Heta within the final eight in Wollongong
Puha broke with double eight to arrange a deciding leg however couldn’t reap the benefits of throwing first as Littler prevented a primary opening-round defeat in a World Collection occasion.
‘The Nuke’ will now face house favorite Damon Heta in Saturday’s quarter-finals, after ‘The Warmth’ swept James Bailey 6-0 and averaged 109.98 within the course of.
World No 1 Luke Humphries misplaced the opening two legs to Jonny Tata earlier than triumphing 6-3 to arrange a last-eight assembly with World Collection debutant Mike De Decker, a 6-2 winner over Brandon Weening.
World No 1 Luke Humphries misplaced the primary two legs in opposition to Jonny Tata earlier than profitable 6-3
Prime seed Stephen Bunting thumped Brody Klinge 6-1 – Klinge avoiding the whitewash with an outstanding 161 checkout that he completed on the bullseye.
‘The Bullet’ will tackle Josh Rock subsequent after the latter battered Simon Whitlock 6-1 on his World Collection bow.
Plus, defending champion Gerwyn Worth – who trounced Littler 8-1 in final 12 months’s last – beat Joe Comito 6-3.
Worth’s reward is a quarter-final in opposition to Chris Dobey, who fought again from 4-2 all the way down to defeat Tim Pusey 6-4 and guarantee all eight elite PDC gamers superior on day one.
Australian Darts Masters – Friday’s outcomes
Final 16 (better of 11 legs)
Mike De Decker 6-2 Brandon Weening
Gerwyn Worth 6-3 Joe Comito
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Brody Klinge
Luke Humphries 6-3 Jonny Tata
Damon Heta 6-0 James Bailey
Luke Littler 6-5 Haupai Puha
Josh Rock 6-1 Simon Whitlock
Chris Dobey 6-4 Tim Pusey
Australian Darts Masters – Saturday’s fixtures
Quarter-finals (better of 11 legs)
Stephen Bunting vs Josh Rock
Luke Littler vs Damon Heta
Gerwyn Worth vs Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries vs Mike De Decker
Semi-finals (better of 13 legs)
TBC vs TBC
Remaining (better of 15 legs)
TBC vs TBC
Reside darts is again on Sky Sports activities from October 6-12 because the BoyleSports World Grand Prix is held in Leicester.
