Luke Littler stuns World Matchplay Darts with one of his greatest ever comebacks against Jermaine Wattimena
The teen sensation came back from 7-2 behind to shoot down Jermaine 'Machine Gun' Wattimena 13-11 in a tie-break classic.
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Littler stunned the Blackpool crowd to beat Wattimena
Credit: Getty
3
Winter
Gardens.
It went all the way to a nail-biting tie-break and Littler said: 'It just didn't go to plan. I bust the 127 then I missed my doubles.
'I was always three or four legs behind. But after the second break I say to myself 'I'm on the stage until the end, just work hard'.
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'When I won I pointed to the star on my shirt, I'm a world champion for a reason. I find these gears when I need it.
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'I'll be honest I've not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championship against
Littler made an awful start, averaging just 80 early on as he lost the opening FOUR legs. In contrast
But The Nuke finally got his first leg on the board with a stunning 100 finish and two double tops.
Littler then halved the deficit with double four but Wattimena then extended his lead to 7-2 to leave the teen sensation on the ropes. At this point Littler had missed TEN efforts on doubles.
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The Nuke then hit a vital double 16 to narrow the gap before the second break. He gestured to the fans: 'I'm still here'.
A clinical 107, 70, tops and double 10 followed for Littler to make it 8-7 and he let out a huge scream.
Luke Littler reveals gruelling new training regime that saw him almost break darts record
But Wattimena wasn't finished and he showed great spirit to stay with Littler to make it 9-9.
The Nuke then missed one match dart before going to a tie-break. He then blew three more chances to win it but finally wrapped it up with double 10.
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Gerwyn Price romped into the quarters with a stunning 11-3 win over Chris Dobey.
It was all one-way traffic and no dramas for the Welshman after his stage aggro with Daryl Gurney earlier in the week.
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Littler and Wattimena enjoy a classy moment together after their epic clash
Credit: SKY SPORTS
Price said: 'I think I'm played well in the middle part of the game.
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'The crowd were behind me which I didn't expect today after Monday.
'It was fantastic, the middle part of the game I felt I couldn't miss. I put Chris under a lot of pressure. I think he played decent in patches.
'I want to let my emotions go sometimes. It was a tough game.'
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