LUKE LITTLER crashed out of the Dutch Darts Masters after losing to Stephen Bunting in the semis.
The world champion was hoping to beat his rival again, having knocked Bunting out at Ally Pally earlier this month.
Kelly DeckersLuke Littler crashed out of the Dutch Darts Masters to Stephen Bunting[/caption]
Kelly DeckersBunting won a tense shootout 7-6 to reach the final[/caption]
Kelly DeckersThe two men played out a thrilling game[/caption]
BUNTING WINS A BELTER!
What. A. Match!
Stephen Bunting defies a 107.59 average from Luke Littler to triumph in an epic semi-final, sealing the deal with an 11-dart hold!
https://t.co/bKw0qCqi9J #DutchDartsMasters pic.twitter.com/sjBdRgW84R
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 25, 2025
But Littler was unable to get the better of him for a second time.
And the 18-year-old was sent packing just an hour after demolishing Michael van Gerwen.
Littler led 3-1 at one stage before collapsing to a 7-6 defeat.
He even finished with a tournament-high average of 107.59.
By comparison, Bunting averaged 99.55 but hit 50 per cent of his checkouts to Littler’s 43.
Bunting was also able to take out an impressive finish of 125, with Littler managing just a 56.
But it was the whizz kid who hit the most 180s with seven to Bunting’s five.
Fans certainly loved Bunting’s epic win to set up a final against either Rob Cross or Gerwyn Price.
One said: “Bunting is in unreal form, joy to watch.”
Another declared: “Woooow! This is unbelievable.”
One noted: “Look what happens when Bunting plays aggressively with self-belief.”
Another added: “It’s a Stephen Bunting world and we just exist in it.”
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