Luke Little survived a real fear before fighting back 13–11 in the thriller to reach the World Matchplay Quarter Final at Litler Blackpool, but three-time champion Michael Van German Josh is out after a defeat to Rock.
World champion Littler looked out at Winter Garden as he slipped 4–0 and then 7–2 against Dutchman Wattimena.
After pulling back a leg immediately before the second break, a clearly removed Littler pointed to a roar of happiness and pointed to the crowd that he was not going home yet.
Little returned from the break, winning six consecutive legs and won six legs in a row, but Wattimena discovered his compover again and the two players blowed to send the game to a tie break.
Litler recalled two matches darts as the veins were started showing, but after making the third one again roared in the festival and pointed to the star on his shirt, indicating his world championship victory.
“When I pointed to the star on my shirt, I am a world champion for a reason, I get this gear when I need it,” Littler told Sky Sports.
“I have not felt such pressure since the first round of the World Championship. I was a bit nervous and it’s on my third game, I have won two of them.
“I want to go back to the stage and I can’t wait to be in the quarter-finals right now.”
Van Gerven started a flight against North Ireland’s rock, taking an early leg with 150 checkouts before an increase in 5–1 lead.
Rock seems to move the game to the second break in the second break to the lead of 9–6 to the 9–6 lead and on the verge of victory.
But Rock fought again and when a magnificent 152 checkout cut off was cut off a magnificent 152 checkout to unite the lead, the first two legs took the lead before winning the next two legs.
Van Gerven required 138 checkouts to stay in the game and make it 10–1, but Rock placed its nerve in a stressful tie break.
“I kept my feelings, I think, throughout the game. I don’t know what was going on, but I finally met in the game,” he told Sky Sports.
“One of the most dramatic, my heart was pumping throughout the game. The stress has finally gone. What is the game.”
Gerwin Price hit the storm in the quarter-finals with Chris Dobi’s 11-3 thrashing,
Welshman Price, who was involved in anger confrontation with Derryl Garn in the previous round, was an average of 108.7, hit in the eight 180s and did 146 checkouts in a major performance.
“It was fantastic. In the central part of the game I thought I could not remember,” he told Sky Sports. “I put Chris under great pressure. I think he has still played very well in the patch.
“I think we were both flying and I was just piling her on two feet, maybe disappointed her a little. It’s a good game for me.”
Andrew Guilding held a meeting with Little to defeat the former UK open champion 11–5 to reach the final eight of the World Matchplay for the second serial year to defeat Dutchman Durk Van Dusewenbod.
