Dimitri Van den Bergh hit a nine-dart finish in a stunning 4-3 win over Michael van Gerwen in the second round of the Winmau World Masters on Saturday in Milton Keynes.
Van den Bergh raised the roof at Arena MK, pinning perfection in the sixth set of a captivating contest to force a decider against the five-time Masters champion.
The deciding set saw Van den Bergh land a break of throw to move within a leg of victory, but Van Gerwen looked odds-on to break straight back as he left 87 with his opponent back on 135.
However, the Dutchman uncharacteristically bust his score and on the following visit missed a big number to deny himself a dart at the bullseye, allowing Van den Bergh the chance to take out 16 which he took at the first attempt.
“I think it was written in the stars for once," said Van den Bergh.
“Everybody knows the head-to-head record between me and Michael, so I am stoked with that!
“I was 3-2 down [in sets] when I hit the nine-darter, so my focus was just on winning the leg.
“I have seen so many people hit nine-darters, and they are amazing, but you need to win games, you need to win matches.
“That’s where my focus was, and I believe in what I can do.”
Van den Bergh will face Nathan Aspinall after the Premier League star ground out a 4-1 win over Cameron Menzies.
Aspinall failed to hit the heights of his first round performance, but won four straight sets to seal his place in the last eight.
Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton will meet on a televised stage for the first time after coming through their second round ties in contrasting style.
Littler romped to 4-0 win over James Wade, while Clayton produced a remarkable comeback to beat Ryan Searle 4-3.
Global teenage sensation Littler averaged 105.47 in a devastating display which saw Wade denied a dart at double in a one-sided contest.
“I think I played very well there," said Littler.
“It wasn’t James’ night tonight, but 105 average and 50% on the doubles - I’m really happy with that.
“I just wanted to get the job done, because I know what James can do, and I’m happy to get another win.
“I’m a quick starter and in this format that’s really important, so I’ll make sure I am fully focused and ready for tomorrow.”
Clayton's passage through to the last eight was less serene as Searle missed a dart at double 19 to win 4-1.
The Welshman won six of the last eight legs to book his place in the quarter-finals of a TV event for the first time since October's World Grand Prix.
“I don’t know how, but I’m still here," Clayton joked.
“I tried to keep believing in my own game, and I just took it leg by leg.
“We all know how good Ryan Searle is, so I’m going to credit myself for digging deep, and I loved every second of that.”
World number one Luke Humphries will take on Damon Heta after producing a straight-sets demolition of Josh Rock, pinning eight of his 12 attempts at double to cap off a clinical display.
Humphries survived a set dart in the opening stanza, before winning six of the last seven legs in a convincing display.
“It was a decent performance, but I still feel like there’s another gear to come from me,” said Humphries.
“There’s always pressure on you. You have to navigate your way through against so many tough players, and I’m going to have to improve.
“I’m enjoying myself. I have achieved so much in the last 18 months – more than I could have ever dreamed of, and if I’m in the back end of big majors, then I’m always dangerous.”
Heta won through a dramatic second round clash against Gerwyn Price, surviving a match dart in the deciding leg after the Welshman recovered from 3-1 down to level.
The Australian number one punished crucial errors from the 2021 World Champion to establish early daylight, only to squander six match darts and survive a match dart of his own in a gripping finale.
“I thought I’d blown it, 100%,” conceded Heta, who is through to his first televised ranking quarter-final since March 2024.
“Whenever you’re playing against Gezzy, you want to bring your best game. I kept my emotions in check, I played my own game, and I took my chances.
“I’m absolutely stoked with that win. I’m really happy with where I’m at, and I believe things are going to keep getting better for me, because I’m a workhorse!”
Stephen Bunting maintained his bid for back-to-back titles in Milton Keynes with a battling 4-2 victory over Peter Wright.
The Scottish veteran converted skin-saving 120 and 122 finishes as he fought to overturn a 3-1 deficit, but Bunting regained his poise in the latter stages to book his place in the quarter-finals.
Bunting will take on Danny Noppert in the last eight, after the Dutch number two produced a classy display to dispatch William O’Connor 4-0, sealing the deal with a 118 checkout on tops.
Sunday will see the quarter-finals take place in the afternoon session, before the semi-finals and final in the evening.
The Winmau World Masters is being broadcast live on ITV4 in the UK, and through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, with coverage also available on PDCTV (excluding subscribers in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland).
2025 Winmau World Masters
Saturday February 1
Afternoon Session
4x Second Round
Danny Noppert 4-0 William O'Connor (2-1, 2-1, 2-1, 2-1)
Damon Heta 4-3 Gerwyn Price (2-0, 0-2, 2-1, 2-0, 1-2, 0-2, 2-1)
Stephen Bunting 4-2 Peter Wright (2-0, 2-1, 0-2, 2-1, 1-2, 2-1)
Luke Humphries 4-0 Josh Rock (2-1, 2-1, 2-0, 2-0)
Saturday February 1
Evening Session
4x Second Round
Jonny Clayton 4-3 Ryan Searle (2-0, 1-2, 0-2, 1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1)
Nathan Aspinall 4-1 Cameron Menzies (1-2, 2-1, 2-0, 2-1, 2-0)
Luke Littler 4-0 James Wade (2-0, 2-0, 2-0, 2-0)
Dimitri Van den Bergh 4-3 Michael van Gerwen (0-2, 2-1, 2-1, 1-2, 1-2, 2-1, 2-0)
Sunday February 2
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)
Quarter-Finals
Luke Humphries v Damon Heta
Danny Noppert v Stephen Bunting
Luke Littler v Jonny Clayton
Dimitri Van den Bergh v Nathan Aspinall
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals
Final
Quarter-Finals - Best of seven sets, best of three legs per set
Semi-Finals - Best of nine sets, best of three legs per set
Final - Best of 11 sets, best of three legs per set