Luke Littler continued his pursuit of an unprecedented clean sweep with a comeback win over Nathan Aspinall at the World Series of Darts Finals, as Dutch duo Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode also advanced in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The \u00a3450,000 event saw eight round two matches take place across a bumper double session, as 2024 champion Littler fought back from the brink to edge out Aspinall in a last-leg thriller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aspinall produced a typically tenacious display in his bid to derail Littler\u2019s title challenge at the AFAS Live, winning three straight legs to establish an early 5-3 advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite missing opportunities to lead 6-3 and 7-5, the Stockport star refused to relent, producing a clinical 78 combination to move to the cusp of victory at 9-8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, an unflappable Littler responded with a 14-dart hold to level proceedings at nine apiece, before conjuring a 12-dart break in the decider to preserve his hopes in the Dutch capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNathan pushed me all the way tonight,\u201d conceded Littler, who will play 2021 champion Jonny Clayton in the last eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t feel confident in the first two sessions, but I managed to make it 6-6 and I was very good in the final session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I came here two years ago, Ross Smith missed darts to beat me and then I went on to win the title, but I know it will be a good test against Jonny tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad that the streak is still on, but it\u2019s going to be very tough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clayton survived a major scare in overcoming Japanese trailblazer Motomu Sakai, overturning a 6-4 deficit to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth time in his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elsewhere, Van Duijvenbode and Van Veen will lock horns in a compelling all-Dutch affair, after Van Duijvenbode denied world number two Luke Humphries in another deciding-leg epic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2022 runner-up recovered from 8-6 down to triumph in front of his partisan home crowd, firing in eight maximums and averaging north of 101 to round off a classic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Duijvenbode was supported in the crowd by his young son Levi, who joined his father on stage post-match after inspiring him to a memorable victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaving my kid here is the best thing in my life,\u201d reflected an emotional Van Duijvenbode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI won this game because he was here. When you are playing against the world number two you are always nervous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I looked up at him he made so happy every time. It made me so relaxed. In the end that is the reason I won it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van Veen was similarly impressive in his 10-7 success against Karel Sedlacek, defying a 103 average from Czechia\u2019s number one to confirm his place at Finals Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dutch number one was merciless on the outer ring, conjuring spectacular 160 and 147 finishes to progress with a 101.52 average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKarel played a phenomenal game today, but luckily I found a way to win,\u201d insisted the reigning European Champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was a really tricky game. At the back end I was scoring a little bit better on his throw, and that\u2019s how I got the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to playing Dirk because I\u2019m playing him in the World Grand Prix, so it would be nice to get a taste of that game!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gerwyn Price and James Wade will also lock horns in a battle of the former champions, as two of the sport\u2019s premier players go head-to-head in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Price maintained his pursuit of a third World Series of Darts Finals crown with a resounding win over Canadian veteran Jim Long, averaging almost 98 in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2018 champion Wade accounted for home favourite Wessel Nijman in another intriguing contest, defying the Dutchman\u2019s mid-game fightback to prevail with a 101 average and 63% on the outer ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier in the day, Josh Rock \u2013 a semi-finalist 12 months ago \u2013 landed a trio of ton-plus checkouts in his 10-7 victory against Ryan Searle to set up a blockbuster last eight clash against Ross Smith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith produced a late surge to topple Rock\u2019s World Cup partner Daryl Gurney, pinning 63% of his attempts at double and averaging 100.30 to cap off a terrific all-round performance. Gerwyn Price 10-5 Jim Long Luke Littler continued his pursuit of an unprecedented clean sweep with a comeback win over Nathan Aspinall at<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10193,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[59],"class_list":["post-15905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsbeat","tag-darts"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
Round Two Results<\/strong>
Josh Rock 10-7 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 10-5 Daryl Gurney
Gian van Veen 10-7 Karel Sedlacek
Dirk van Duijvenbode 10-9 Luke Humphries
Jonny Clayton 10-8 Motomu Sakai<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James Wade 10-7 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 10-9 Nathan Aspinall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"