HETA WINS A CLASSIC! 🇦🇺 Damon Heta is through to the semi-finals! The Australian keeps his cool to defeat Luke Littler 10-8 in one of the best matches in UK Open history! 📺 bit.ly/UKOpen24Live #UKOpenDarts | QFs
Damon Heta comes through magnificent quarter final clash against Luke Littler at UK Open
PDCSunday, 03 March 2024 at 16:39
Damon Heta came through a thriller of a quarter final clash against Luke Littler in the UK Open, with both players averaging well over 100 in the tie. The result means Heta is in his first singles televised semi final in the PDC.
The first session was played at an incredible standard, with Heta averaging 126, compared to Littler's 119 and hitting seven 180s between them. Five legs taking just seven minutes. It certainly made up for the scrappy encounter that took place the game before between Ricky Evans and Rob Cross.
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The magnificence between the pair continued into the second session, with another five maximums and both still having a three-dart average of over 110. There was a match to be won in all this though, and Heta took four out of the next six legs to go into a 6-4 lead with legs of 12, 12 and 14-darters - hitting a 121 checkout in the 10th.
The first mistake came when Littler elected to not go for the bull with Heta on 170, which the Aussie almost took out, but still missed three clear darts and lost his throw. Even though the teenager almost checked out 167 in the next leg, Heta managed to hold and was now up 8-4.
The World number 10 just needed two holds of throw and got one of them, before missing two match darts at D11 at 9-6. Littler then won the next two legs in the same fashion, by hitting tops when he needed a single but still pinned D10 nonetheless. He had his chance to force a last-leg decider, but could not take advantage as he missed a dart at bull and then D10. Heta eventually mopped up on double 16 to go through to his first individual semi final in a PDC competition. The Aussie previously won the World Cup in 2022 alongside Simon Whitlock.
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- When Littler has at least five ranking Majors he’s in the discussion, until then, forget it.Mysstree14-11-2024
- This is the difference between other players and Phil Taylor. Phil would be completely motivated even before his walk on and didn't need anything else to do so.richieburnettrocks14-11-2024
- Still impressive though. Also literally everyone cares about averages that's what makes darts fascinating.medinabello14-11-2024
- BS he won a Euro Tour during this down period something that not many players can say. Dobey, Noppy, DvD, Ross Smith to name just a few.medinabello14-11-2024
- Maybe the supposed top players are burnt out from the endless travelling and tournaments, I just don't think they have the dedication or outright desire to win. I think they are more interested in the money and being popular, just keeping their rankings steady. The only thing that mattered to Phil Taylor was winning, not winning a few games to top up the money pot and seeking the fans attention. Maybe there is too many tournaments now and the enthusiasm is gone. This year especially has seen so many different winners and unexpected draws and line ups.richieburnettrocks14-11-2024