Luke Littler hit an incredible nine-darter as he beat Nathan Aspinall 11-8 in a fantastic game of darts.
The Nuke was at the peak of his powers throughout, averaging a whopping 113.68, hitting 14 180s and had a double success rate of 44 per cent.
Aspinall played brilliantly, averaging 101.24 himself and taking out the big fish, but it was not enough.
Littler produced a performance to remember and advanced into round three of the World Matchplay.
The Nuke came out of the blocks flying, hitting two quick 180s to set up the nine-darter.
With a T20, T17 and a D15 checkout, Littler threw his first nine darts perfectly.
The 19-year-old was at it again, hitting eight perfect darts to once again set himself up for a D15 checkout.
The Nuke just missed to the outside, returning to the oche to clean up for a 10-darter, as Aspinall jokingly lifted his darts up to the crowd in the Winter Gardens, seeing if anybody else fancied having a go against Littler.
Luke Littler hit an incredible nine-darter in the very first leg
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SKYSPORTS
Aspinall went into the first break down only 3-2, doing incredibly well to keep the scoreline close with Littler playing at his best level.
The Asp was not going down without a fight, holding his serve throughout despite Littler at one stage averaging 117.
The Nuke once again was on a nine-darter in the third session, hitting six perfect darts before missing the T20 but still taking the leg.
Aspinall finally got the break of throw that he was after to level the game up at 7-7, letting out a huge cheer as he kept at pace with Littler.
Aspinall produced a brilliant performance despite losing 11-8 (STOCK)
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GETTY
The Nuke responded with a D10 to break Aspinall back, before comfortably taking the next leg to put him 9-7 up.
The Asp could see the standards Littler was producing, knowing he had to take out a 130 to hold his serve in the 17th leg.
After hitting two T20s, Aspinall missed D5, jumping in the air in frustration and not even looking at the board, knowing Littler was going to take out the seven he had remaining.
With the Nuke one leg away, he had to step up with something magic, which is exactly what he did.
Five things to know about darts star Luke Littler | GB NEWS/GETTY
A break of throw with a big fish followed from the Asp kept him alive for now.
But after another break of throw, Littler checked out 52 to beat Aspinall and advance into round three.
Speaking afterwards, Littler told Sky Sports: “It felt amazing. Probably the best game me and Nathan have played against each other. I just saw the averages there, 113 for me, 101 for Nathan. Six trebleless visits in 21 legs shows how well I did play.
“Nathan gave it his all, and when I missed D5 I knew the 170 was going! But I’m just glad to win. He’ll never give up. The nine-darter just happened, these guys were booing me at the beginning and then they started cheering me on!
“That’s two unbelievable performances from myself here. I just have to focus. You can never put the trophy in someone’s hands after round one or round two. I wanted Luke Humphries to win and us to meet in another final.”
