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 just 91.80 during his 6-5 win in Wollongong, which he sealed with a 13-darter against the throw.
The 18-year-old had squandered a match dart in the previous leg, missing the bull after two successful treble 20s as he threatened to clinch victory in style with a 170.
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Littler will face Damon Heta in the last eight in Wollongong
Puha broke with double eight to set up a deciding leg but could not take advantage of throwing first as Littler avoided a first opening-round defeat in a World Series event.
Littler admitted he did not go into the game with the best preparation, telling ITV: “It wasn’t the best from myself, but that’s what happens in the first game. It’s not always the prettiest, but I am happy to get over the line.
“I had to grind it out, I’ll be honest, not much practice has been put in, people don’t see behind the scenes, body clock, not sleeping, it has an effect.”
Heta next up for Littler in Wollongong
‘The Nuke’ will now face home favourite Damon Heta in Saturday’s quarter-finals after ‘The Heat’ swept James Bailey 6-0 while averaging 109.98 and nailing four ton-plus checkouts.
World No 1 Luke Humphries lost the opening two legs to Jonny Tata before triumphing 6-3 to set up a last-eight meeting with World Series debutant Mike De Decker, a 6-2 winner over Brandon Weening.
World No 1 Luke Humphries lost the first two legs against Jonny Tata before winning 6-3
Top seed Stephen Bunting thumped Brody Klinge 6-1 – Klinge avoiding the whitewash with a superb 161 checkout that he finished on the bullseye.
‘The Bullet’ will take on Josh Rock next after the latter averaged 108.16 en route to battering Simon Whitlock 6-1 on his World Series bow.
Plus, defending champion Gerwyn Price – who trounced Littler 8-1 in last year’s final – beat Joe Comito 6-3.
Price’s reward is a quarter-final against Chris Dobey, who fought back from 4-2 down to defeat Tim Pusey 6-4 and ensure all eight elite PDC players advanced on day one.
Australian Darts Masters – Friday’s results
Last 16 (best of 11 legs)
Mike De Decker 6-2 Brandon Weening
Gerwyn Price 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 (best of 11 legs)
Stephen Bunting vs Josh Rock
Luke Littler vs Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price vs Chris Dobey
Luke Humphries vs Mike De Decker
Semi-finals (best of 13 legs)
TBC vs TBC
Final (best of 15 legs)
TBC vs TBC
Live darts is back on Sky Sports from October 6-12 as the BoyleSports World Grand Prix is held in Leicester.