Luke Littler’s hopes of claiming a third straight Premier League win ended prematurely with a quarter-final loss to Gian van Veen in Manchester.
The 19-year-old surged to the top of the standings with back-to-back victories in Dublin and Berlin and was the big favourite on home soil at the AO Arena.
But Littler, who is a big Manchester United fan and hails from nearby Warrington, failed to hit top form and lost a deciding leg in a tense 6-5 defeat against Dutchman Van Veen.
Van Veen had not won a match since week four of the competition and is still recovering from the kidney stones that forced him to sit out Dublin.
But he served notice of his intent with a bullseye to seal a 128 checkout for a break of throw in the third leg and just missed a double five that would have opened up a 5-1 lead.
Littler recovered to 4-3 and it appeared Van Veen’s chance might have gone when he failed to land a double for the match at 5-3 and back came the world champion to level.
The nerves were clear for Van Veen, who fluffed his lines going for double 15, prompting needle between the pair, with Littler gesturing angrily at his rival only to then surprisingly miss his opportunity.
Van Veen did not allow Littler another visit, and there was a brief handshake between the pair before the home star left the stage.
Earlier, Stephen Bunting quelled a fightback from Michael van Gerwen to win 6-3 while it was another disappointing night for Luke Humphries, who lost 6-2 to Gerwyn Price.
