Littler fights back to reach Grand Slam quarter-finals
Teenager Luke Littler shot to fame when he reached the 2024 World Championship final
- Published
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鈥檛 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
Top half:
Cameron Menzies v Mickey Mansell
Martin Lukeman v Rob Cross
Bottom half:
Jermaine Wattimena v Luke Littler
Gary Anderson v Gian van Veen