Littler throws nine-darter in World Matchplay win over Aspinall
World number one Luke Littler threw a nine-darter during an 11-8 victory over Nathan Aspinall to advance to the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay in Blackpool. The 19-year-old began the contest at Winter Gardens with a perfect leg, finishing on double 15, and cupped his ears to the crowd while Aspinall laughed and gave him a high five. Littler narrowly missed a second nine-darter in the fourth leg when his arrow landed just the wrong side of the wire. Aspinall tied the match at 7-7, but the defending champion won the next three legs and sealed victory with a 113.68 average, the second highest in tournament history, featuring 14 180s. Littler will face Josh Rock, who beat Stephen Bunting 11-6. In other results, Michael van Gerwen lost 14-12 to Dirk van Duijvenbode, and Gary Anderson defeated Jonny Clayton 11-7.
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Sources: BBC News
