World number one Luke Littler survived a first-round scare to overcome Danny Noppert in a thrilling World Series of Darts Finals match in Amsterdam. The 19-year-old, who is seeking his second World Series Finals victory, had recently whitewashed Noppert 6-0 on his way to winning the Czech Darts Open.
However, there was no repeat of that dominant performance as Noppert won three straight legs to take a 3-1 lead. Littler levelled the match at 3-3 and later let out a passionate roar after a 95 checkout with the score at 4-4, bringing him within one leg of victory, which he then secured.
Littler will now face fellow Englishman Nathan Aspinall, who defeated Raymond Smith 6-4. Other results saw Wales' Gerwyn Price beat Brody Klinge 6-4 and Motomu Sakai overcome England's Callan Rydz 6-5. Defending champion Michael van Gerwen fell to a 6-5 defeat by Daryl Gurney on Thursday.