Luke Littler crashes out of World Masters after sublime display from Jonny Clayton
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Luke Littler has been knocked out of the World Masters after a pulsating 4-2 defeat to Jonny Clayton on Sunday afternoon in the quarter-final.
The world champion, who defeated Michael van Gerwen to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy last month, could not live with Clayton's superior finishing.
Littler was taking part in his maiden World Masters, having not qualified for last year's competition, and had high hopes of going all the way after a stunning 12 months.
Clayton, meanwhile, has won the competition back in 2021 - and has high hopes of repeating that success that propelled his reputation as a hot finisher.
Luke Littler could not keep up with Jonny Clayton's finishing
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That year, the Welshman went on to win the World Grand Prix, World Series Final and Premier League.
And if he exhibits the same form throughout the year, Clayton might be on song to win more silverware once again.
But this was a match dripping with quality and Littler might have strolled to victory against another opponent.
It started off with a bang when Clayton took out 138 en route to claiming the first set before Littler levelled the scores with a 12-darter along the way.
Clayton roared himself back into the lead without reply before taking the fourth set as well to leave Littler on the brink of a mauling.
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However, the 18-year-old returned with a set of his own to make it 3-2 before Clayton's eighth 180 put him on course to victory.
The Nuke had a better average than Clayton but it was the Ferret's phenomenal finishing that got him over the line - taking out three ton finishes compared to Littler who did not manage one.
The 18-year-old averaged 108.50 compared to Clayton, who averaged 103.96.
READ MORE: Luke Littler responds to James Wade's 'lazy' jibes after 4-0 thrashing
Jonny Clayton was in hot form against Luke Littler
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Littler also scored more 180s, with nine to Clayton's eight, but the 50-year-old's highest checkout of 138 was an indication of his superior ability on the doubles while the youngest checked out his highest score of 81.
The darting prodigy also hit just 35 per cent of his finishes (7/20) whereas Clayton clinically checked out 60 per cent of his (9/15).
Littler had arrived at Milton Keynes on Sunday in hot form having dispatched James Wade and Andy Baetens in rapid fashion.
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Luke Littler was blown away by Jonny Clayton's finishing
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The teenager had not dropped a single set, and he did not even give Wade a chance to check out in a 4-0 drubbing of the Machine.
He might have had some fire in his belly after comments from Wade before the match where he called him 'lazy'.
Meanwhile, elsewhere World No. 1 Luke Humphries defeated Damon Heta to set up a semi-final clash against Danny Noppert, who beat reigning champion Stephen Bunting.
The World Masters is set to conclude on Sunday with the semi-final and final going ahead in the evening and quarter-finals during the afternoon.
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