World number one Luke Littler survived a first-round scare to overcome Danny Noppert in a thrilling World Series of Darts Finals match in Amsterdam.
The 19-year-old, seeking his second World Series Finals victory after 2024, recently whitewashed the Dutchman, who is a former UK Open champion, 6-0 on his way to winning the Czech Darts Open.
There would be no repeat here as Noppert won three straight legs to take a 3-1 lead.
Having levelled the match at 3-3, Littler turned to the crowd and tapped his ears in response to boos.
Despite the teenager then busting his score, Noppert failed to take advantage and retake the lead.
With the score 4-4, Littler let out a passionate roar towards the crowd after a wonderful 95 checkout, with Noppert left on 46. The finish brought him within one leg of victory, which he comfortably secured.
Littler will now face fellow Englishman Nathan Aspinall, who defeated Raymond Smith 6-4.
Wales’ Gerwyn Price beat Brody Klinge 6-4 to progress, but was made to work after taking control at 5-0.
Klinge avoided a whitewash and then grew in confidence, turning what once looked like a thrashing into a one-leg deficit.
However, Price comfortably closed out the match and will now face Jim Long.
Motomu Sakai beat England’s Callan Rydz 6-5 to progress, while James Wade overcame Damon Heta 6-5.
Wales’ Jonny Clayton will face Sakai after he beat Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3.
Defending champion Michael van Gerwen fell to a 6-5 defeat by Daryl Gurney on Thursday, while world number two Luke Humphries will face Dirk van Duijvenbode after emerging victorious against Wattimena.