Luke Littler 4-4 Stephen Bunting*
A nice start for Littler, two in treble 20 before a third strays just wide.
No problem following up with a 180 the following throw, he is well and truly into this leg.
A third throw, another two into treble 20, with 46 left.
Only needs two darts to take it out, and that was a fantastic leg for Littler.
Luke Littler* 3-4 Stephen Bunting
Not a fantastic leg for Bunting, the first time Littler has multiple darts at a finish in the match.
Littler takes out 86, with Bunting not even on a finish when he won the leg.
Turning point?
Luke Littler 2-4 Stephen Bunting*
Trebles starting to fly now, the pair trade 140s with early throws in this leg.
Bunting follows it up with 37, and Littler unfortunately sees a dart bounce out the board, before landing a treble 19.
Bunting goes for 101 to finish, but he does not find the right treble, and Littler on 122 has a bull attempt for the leg.. but is nowhere near.
The Bullet rubs salt into the wound, holding throw on double 10.
Luke Littler* 2-3 Stephen Bunting
Littler still not landing trebles with any consistency throughout this leg.
It has been a worrying start for the world champion, averaging well below 100.
He does manage to land his trusty double 10 with 100 to finish, but he still trails Bunting, and needs a break.
Luke Littler 1-3 Stephen Bunting*
Again, Bunting gets to a finish first, but on 167 it was unlikely to go.
Littler was all the way back on 233 when he began his finish, though.
The 110 that missed last leg goes this time for Bunting, he restores a two leg lead.
Luke Littler* 1-2 Stephen Bunting
And again, another ‘9’ comes and goes, as Bunting lands a 180 to start the leg, but cannot follow it up.
Bunting to a finish first, 170 again, and with Littler then following up and getting to 74, he cannot take it out.
However, Littler makes a mess of 74, only scoring 26.
Bunting then inches away from 110, taking treble 20 and 18 before missing double 16, but Littler comes back and takes out his finish and is finally up and running.