LUKE LITTLER’S winning streak of NINETEEN games on the big stage was ended by Gian van Veen.
The teen sensation was beaten 6-4 by the hot Dutch prospect in the Czech Darts Open third round.
AlamyLuke Littler has been dumped out of the Czech Darts Open[/caption]
GettyVan Veen held his nerve to overcome Littler, who he dubbed a ‘beast’[/caption]
Littler, 18, had been on a big TV stage victory run going back to the start of the World Matchplay in mid-July.
He won in Blackpool followed by both World Series events in Australia and New Zealand before his Flanders Trophy victory in Belgium last weekend.
And he beat Cameron Menzies to progress into the last 16 – before complaining about the HEAT on stage.
But Van Veen, 23, was just too hot to handle in their clash in Prague and won his third game in succession over the Nuke, who he dubbed a “beast” when it gets to the pressure moments.
Van Veen said: “The first leg was rubbish again. It’s not the first time over the past two weeks.
“The scoring went well throughout the game, he missed some chances, especially in the last leg when he missed the 25. But I’m really happy with this win.
“You saw last week how good he was in the final against Josh Rock. Josh hit 161 for seven-all. Luke turned out an 11-darter in the decider.
“He’s so good under pressure. When I hit the 76 to go 5-3 up. Then I thought just start well, but it was 59, 56. That leg is gone.
“He started 140, 123, 180. Last leg as well but he missed those chances. That’s what won me the game.
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“If it goes to a decider, you know what kind of beast Luke Littler is. It’s always going to be tough but luckily it didn’t go to a decider.”
It was nip and tuck all the way following two early breaks of throw for each player.
The key moment in the game was Van Veen’s break of throw in the eighth leg with a 76 and tops finish.
That left Littler on the ropes and needing to win the next three to save the match.
The world champ was snarling as he faced defeat but pulled one leg back before missing vital chances to level it up at 5-5.
Van Veen soon punished him to progress through to the quarter-finals, where he will face Gerwyn Price.
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