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Luke Littler secures spot in Players Championship last eight

Luke Littler saw off the challenge of Ricardo Pietreczko
Luke Littler saw off the challenge of Ricardo Pietreczko

World number one Luke Littler recovered from a slow start to beat Ricardo Pietreczko 10-6 and book his spot in the last eight of the Players Championship Finals in Minehead.

Littler - who overtook rival Luke Humphries at the top of the rankings on the way to victory in last week's Grand Slam of Darts - had seen off Ross Smith 6-3 during the afternoon session with another impressive match average of 102.

The 18-year-old continued to build his momentum against Germany's Pietreczko - who had earlier edged out Gary Anderson in a last-leg decider - as he came from 3-1 behind to take control at 8-5 ahead with a brilliant 121 finish after hitting two bullseyes.

Having dug in to make the last eight, Littler, who again returned a 102 average despite a slow start, has his sights firmly on yet another title - and once which he has yet to win.

"Obviously I am never happy when I am losing, at 3-2 down I then got it back to 5-all and I just had to kick on there," Littler said on ITV4.

"I knew there were no more breaks, we were on (stage) until the end and I managed to get the job done. I was not the best on my doubles tonight, but I can sharpen up on them again tomorrow afternoon."

Littler added: "This is one (title) I have not won, everyone does know that. I am definitely chasing for it tomorrow."

Gerwyn Price - the top seed because of his performances during the 34 Players Championship floor events across the the year - beat Martin Schindler 10-6 to also progress through to Sunday, when the tournament will be played through to a conclusion.

Nathan Aspinall held off Dutchman Danny Noppert 10-8, with both players hitting six 180s.

Away from Butlin's main stage, Daryl Gurney - who beat Stephen Bunting during the afternoon - got past Adam Lipscombe in a last-leg decider which sees him through to a quarter-final against Price.

James Wade followed up his earlier win over former world champion Peter Wright with a 10-6 victory over Andrew Gilding.

Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena battled past Ryan Searle 10-8 to secure his place in the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time.

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