Reigning world champion Luke Littler survived a major scare as he progressed to the second round of the World Masters in Milton Keynes.
Despite winning the opening set, the 19-year-old faced defeat as Mike de Decker levelled the contest by hitting a bullseye to complete a 121 checkout.
The Belgian then took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five set contest and he had a match dart after hitting two treble 20s when attempting a 142 check-out but he missed double 11 with his third arrow.
World number one Littler hit double 16 with his next dart to level the match and then opened with 180 on his way to taking the deciding set.
Littler called it a “tough” night, adding on ITV: “I didn’t get going.
“In the second and third set, Mike deserved to win them.
“I had to fight back and that’s what I did. I got over the line, found a bit of form and got the win.”
