Luke Littler survives a big scare at Australian Darts Masters
Warrington's world darts champion and newly-crowned World Matchplay winner advanced through the first round of the Australian Darts Masters in Wollongong this lunchtime to keep his hopes of a first World Series title of the year alive.
However, he was pushed all the way by New Zealand's Haupai Puha, who took the game to a deciding 11th leg before Littler triumphed 6-5.
Littler will face home favourite Damon Heta in the quarter-finals tomorrow after the Australian blitzed compatriot James Bailey earlier in the session.
It was far from vintage stuff from 'The Nuke,' whose match average was just a shade above 91 while he missed 12 darts at double during a game in which he fell 2-0 behind early.
He recovered to lead 3-2, but back-to-back 12-dart legs from Puha allowed him to retake the initiative at 4-3.
Littler again found a way to snatch the lead back via a 119 check-out against the throw but after the teenager narrowly missed the bullseye that would have sealed the game with a 'big fish' maximum checkout of 170, Puha stole a break to set up the decider.
In that final leg, it was Littler who held his nerve and he pinned double six to seal victory.
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