Top Australian darts player Damon Heta has scored the biggest win of his burgeoning career by knocking out darts up-and-comer Luke Littler to reach the British Open semi-finals.
In one of the best matches ever seen in the sport's biggest championship, Heta, a former roofer from Perth who has risen to No. 11 in the world rankings, defeated 17-year-old Littler in a thrilling quarter-final. I beat it at -8. Minehead on Sunday.
The 36-year-old, who currently bases his career near the English city of Leicester, won the World Cup with Australia in 2022 alongside Simon Whitlock, which was the biggest individual tournament of his life and an astonishing feat. He averaged 3 darts. He scored 106.04 points and advanced to his first televised major semifinal.
Littler's hopes of lifting his first trophy at the televised PDC event have been dashed as Australia's strong start to the year continues after winning the Players Championship in Leicester last month.
At one point in the early stages of the game, Geta was playing very well, with his average score exceeding an astonishing 125, but the overall quality of the game was such that he received unprecedented recognition for the sport. He was still unable to overtake Little, who had given him World Championship final in January when I was 16 years old.
Littler got off to a great start on the PDC Tour and was seen as the favorite to win the title after performing well in the Premier League as well as winning the PDC Players Title and Bahrain Masters.
But he couldn't deal with Heta, an inspired showman who appeared on stage wearing a crazy fireproof hat and built an 8-4 lead, living up to his nickname “The Heat.”
Heta seemed nervous near the finish line, missing three darts that could have decided the match, and held on even after Littler missed a chance to score in the final leg, finishing with a double 16. sank.
“Credit to myself. I was preparing for it. I feel that way sometimes during practice, so I know what it feels like,” Geta said of his great form.
“To get to the top against Luke Littler, who has taken the media and darts by storm – and to be fair, I love him dearly – those are the guys I have to beat.”
In the semi-final later on Sunday (Monday AEDT), Heta will face Belgian housemate and close friend Dimitri van den Bergh, while world champion Luke Humphries will take on fellow British player Dimitri van den Bergh. He will face Ricky Evans.
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