Luke Littler survived two match darts from Ross Smith as he edged through in a deciding leg on his World Series Finals debut in Amsterdam on Friday.
Littler, seeded number one after winning the Bahrain Masters and Poland Masters this year, looked to be cruising to victory at 5-3 ahead, only for Smith to clinch successive legs and force a nervy decider.
However, the former European Champion was unable to hit either double 13 or double four, allowing Littler off the hook on his favourite double ten to progress with a 103.3 average.
“I’m glad to get over the line,” admitted a relieved Littler. “Ross let me in and I took my chance.
“Me and Raymond will both be confident and I’ll go into the game wanting to win, just like tonight.
“I’ll just play my darts – in the worst case I’ll have to switch on the gears again like I did tonight, but I’ll have to try to get off to a good start tomorrow.”
The 17-year-old will now meet his darting idol Raymond van Barneveld on Saturday night in a repeat of their World Championship clash last December.
Dutch legend Van Barneveld delighted his adoring faithful at the AFAS Live with a 6-0 whitewash of Sweden’s Johan Engstrom.
2018 World Series Finals runner-up Van Barneveld landed three 180s and restricted Engstrom to just two attempts at doubles in a dominant display as he eased into the Last 16.
“The crowd are always backing me because in their mind, I’m a legend – but you still need to do it,” said Van Barneveld.
“You have to rely on yourself and take your chances and keep on putting him under pressure all the time.
“Playing for your home crowd is fantastic, but tomorrow you play a guy who can play like Phil Taylor! He’s fantastic – I’m really looking forward to it.
“I know what I need to do to beat him; to play my A-game and maybe even more than my A-game. If you play well you always get chances, but you have to take them.”
Five-time champion Michael van Gerwen began his title defence with a 6-4 win over Jonny Clayton in a scrappy affair which saw both players average below 87.
However, Van Gerwen did enough to secure victory and continue his bid for a sixth World Series Finals crown.
“We all know I can do a lot better but it was more important that I won this game,” said Van Gerwen. “Today was not the game I want to show everyone and I think there’s a lot more in the tank.
“I know I have to do more if I want to do well in this tournament and what I showed tonight is not good enough so it has to be better.
“I need to make sure I have a good night’s rest and make sure I’m sharp tomorrow.”
Van Gerwen will meet Danny Noppert in a repeat of the 2019 final after Noppert secured a 6-3 win over fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen.
World number one Luke Humphries safely secured his place in the Second Round with a 6-3 defeat of New Zealand’s Haupai Puha.
Humphries will now take on Damon Heta in a repeat of last month’s New Zealand Masters final after the Australian number one held his nerve in a dramatic last-leg decider against Gabriel Clemens.
Chris Dobey also held his nerve a deciding leg, miraculously finding his way through to a seemingly blocked bullseye to land a spectacular 132 checkout to see off Dimitri Van den Bergh.
Dobey’s round two opponent will be Boris Krcmar – who caused an upset on his World Series Finals debut by defeating Stephen Bunting 6-4 as he recovered from 4-2 down to celebrate his 45th birthday in style.
World Series of Darts Finals 2024 Day One Results
Friday September 13
First Round
Boris Krcmar 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Gabriel Clemens 5-6 Damon Heta
Dimitri Van den Bergh 5-6 Chris Dobey
Johan Engstrom 0-6 Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Littler 6-5 Ross Smith
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Jonny Clayton
Luke Humphries 6-3 Haupai Puha
Danny Noppert 6-3 Gian van Veen
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