World Matchplay: Luke Littler throws nine-darter in thrilling win over Nathan Aspinall at Winter Gardens in Blackpool
World number one Luke Littler fired a thrilling nine-darter to beat Nathan Aspinall 11-8 to book his place in the World Matchplay quarter-finals.
Littler started the competition at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool sensationally with an excellent leg and finished on double 15.
As the Warrington teenager covered his ears to embrace the praise from the frenetic crowd, fellow Englishman Aspinall laughed in disbelief before giving Littler a high-five.
Excitement levels increased further in the fourth leg when Littler had a double 15 left for the second nine-darter, but his arrow hit just the wrong side of the wire.
Aspinall turned to the crowd and jokingly held out his dart to the 19-year-old to see if he wanted to make a play.
However, he did not allow Littler to retreat and managed to pull himself back on terms at 7-7, but the defending champion was able to survive the next three legs.
Aspinall briefly recovered, but when he missed the top spot in the 19th game, Littler scored 52 points to seal victory with an incredible average of 113.68 (the second highest average in the tournament’s history) for a total of 14 180.
“The nine darter just happened. These guys [the crowd] “At first they booed me and then they started cheering,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“It was a great feeling and it was probably the best game Nathan and I ever played against each other, it never ends against Nathan because he never gives up.
“These are two incredible performances for me. I hope I can take the title again, but I need to focus on who I play next.”
Littler will face Josh Rock, who impressed with an 11-6 win over Stephen Bunting. The two met in last year’s Matchplay semi-final.
On the other hand, Michael van Gerwen’s season ended with a 14-12 defeat to Dutch Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Trailing 8-4, Van Gerwen fought back to level the match at 10 all but Van Duijvenbode closed out the contest.
Scottish Gary Anderson also advanced to the last eight by beating Welshman Jonny Clayton 11-7.
