The world champion had claimed the first set with a 116 average.

The tournament favourite held his nerve to set up a last-16 showdown with Ross Smith.

Littler is already joint-third on the list of all-time major tournament winners after a spectacular first two years on tour.

The two-time world champion will celebrate by heading to Dubai for a mini-break.

The two-time world champion, who turns 19 on Wednesday, saw off the evergreen 71-year-old Paul Lim for the second week in a row.

Van Gerwen let slip 3-0 and 6-2 leads before edging an enthralling contest.

Littler cruised to a 6-1 victory.

Littler takes to the oche for the first time since winning his second World Championship.

Littler has made it his mission to defend his historic title and on this evidence it is going to take something special to stop him.

The world number one cruised into the third round with a 3-0 win over David Davies.

Littler has a target on his back as he gets set to defend his title at Alexandra Palace.

The 18-year-old beat Nathan Aspinall in the Minehead showpiece on Sunday.

The world champion goes on to play Gerwyn Price in Sunday’s evening session.

Littler was in formidable form and hit 10 180s on his way to yet another final.

The teenage star followed up success in Australia with an 8-4 final win in Auckland.

Luke Littler begins his triple crown quest against Ryan Searle.

Premier League semi-finalist Nathan Aspinall suggested the 18-year-old could retire in five years.

Manchester United fan Littler was booed on to the stage at the M and S Bank Arena.

The 18-year-old claimed his first World Championship crown in January.

The reigning champion has a six-point lead nearing the halfway point of the regular 16-week Premier League season.

Price is proving to be Littler’s kryptonite and posted a 6-3 win in the final in Nottingham.

The 17-year-old reigning champion will face Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals.

Littler was well-beaten by Gerwyn Price on Friday.

At 17, Littler became the youngest player to win the World Championship at Alexandra Palace earlier this month

Littler is trying to win his first World Championship title while Van Gerwen is chasing a fourth

Littler beat Luke Humphries 11-7 in the final.

It was Littler’s first visit to the M&S Bank Arena since he went as a fan to watch in 2018 on the night Bristow died of a heart attack.

A 116 check-out booked a last-four showdown with former world champion Gerwyn Price.

The 16-year-old has stormed to the World Championship final, hammering Rob Cross in Tuesday’s semi.

The 16-year-old blew beat Rob Cross 6-2 in his semi-final to set up a final meeting with new world number one Luke Humprhies.

The PDC World Darts Championship starts on Friday.