Littler fights back to reach Grand Slam quarter-finals
Luke Littler produced a stunning fightback to beat Mike de Decker 10-9 and reach the Grand Slam of Darts quarter-finals.
The 17-year-old was 9-7 down and on the brink of exiting the tournament, but won three consecutive legs to secure a meeting with Jermaine Wattimena.
Littler had taken a 2-0 lead but De Decker got on level terms, then seemed to have the momentum as the match wore on.
The Belgian built an 8-4 cushion but Littler rallied with an 11-dart leg.
De Decker had a chance to win with a checkout of 170, but missed the bullseye before Littler squared the match at 9-9.
In the deciding leg Littler held his nerve and nailed treble 18, double 16, to seal victory and a place in the last eight.
“I don’t know if I enjoyed that. I’ve got to feel for Mike. I didn’t think I was in the game, but I know I can always switch that gear,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“Early on I was at my normal pace but towards the end I was taking an extra second, and that helped me. I might have to throw like that from now on.
“I didn’t think I could overturn the deficit [in the final session]. I just can’t believe it.”
Also in Wolverhampton, Wattimena progressed by winning a 10-9 thriller of his own against Dimitri van den Bergh.
Gian van Veen cruised to a 10-2 win over Ryan Joyce while Gary Anderson clinched a 10-6 victory over Stephen Bunting.
Grand Slam of Darts quarter-final draw
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Van Gerwen exits Grand Slam but Littler progresses
Michael van Gerwen failed to make it through to the Grand Slam of Darts last 16 after a 5-4 defeat by Ryan Joyce.
The Dutchman twice battled back from two legs down in the Group G decider but failed to check out at 112 on his throw and Joyce nailed 80 to seal victory.
It is the first time since 2010 that three-time world champion Van Gerwen has not made it to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Luke Littler narrowly missed a nine-dart finish as he cruised through as the unbeaten winner of Group F with a 5-3 win over Lourence Ilagan.
The Wolverhampton crowd were on their feet when 17-year-old Littler nailed seven consecutive treble 20s and a treble 19, but he missed double 12.
Elsewhere, Dimitri van den Bergh finished runner-up to Littler after a 5-1 demolition of Keane Barry while Mike De Decker claimed a 5-0 whitewash over Michael Smith to secure second spot in Group E.
Stephen Bunting booked his place in the last 16 with a 5-2 win over Josh Rock in Group H.
Gary Anderson defeated Noa-Lynn van Leuven 5-2 to finished with three wins to top Group G.
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