Luke Littler threw his first nine-darter of the yr however the teenager’s 19-match successful run got here to an finish with a defeat within the semi-finals of the Gamers Championship 5.
The 18-year-old world champion achieved the feat within the sixth leg of his 6-5 second-round win over Adam Hunt in Leicester.
Littler then overturned a 4-0 deficit to beat Dirk van Duijvenbode by the identical rating, earlier than averaging 122.96 in a 6-1 thrashing Damon Heta to succeed in the final 4.
However his run got here to finish with an exciting 7-6 semi-final loss to Gian van Veen – Littler’s first defeat since shedding 6-4 to Luke Humphries within the last on night time 4 of the Premier League final month.
Dutchman Van Veen took on Joe Cullen within the last which additionally went to a last-leg shootout, with the Englishman successful 8-7.
“I believe that is the perfect win of my profession, due to the adversity I’ve needed to endure during the last yr,” mentioned Cullen, 35.
“Once you’re slipping down the rankings and also you’re doubting your self, there may be nothing worse in darts. I am there for a cause, however I’m doing the whole lot I can to get myself again up these rankings.”
Gary Anderson additionally hit a nine-darter throughout his 6-5 first-round win over Ryan Joyce, earlier than being eradicated by the identical scoreline in opposition to Rob Owen within the final 16.
