Luke Littler beaten in last 16 to end hopes of Belgium hat-trick
WLR Digital Desk
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By Press Association Sport Reporters
Double defending champion Luke Littler will not make it a hat-trick of Belgian Darts Open titles after falling 5-6 to Dutchman Niels Zonneveld in a last-16 upset.
Zonneveld became the first person to beat the two-time reigning world champion in Wieze, where Littler had initially got out to a 3-1 lead after the first three legs went against the darts, but allowed his opponent to come back into the contest.
Niels Zonneveld produced a last-leg upset (Steven Paston/PA)
Zonneveld battled back, taking the lead for the first time to make it 4-3, but missed three match darts in the penultimate leg to open the door for Littler, who forced the decider with a 136 takeout.
He was not able to take advantage, and watched his campaign – and 12-match unbeaten run at the venue – come to a close when Zonneveld nailed a 147 checkout to win.
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