Brendan Dolan and Luke Littler both let out a wry smile when the latter pulled off a rare 'robin hood' during the third leg of their quarter-final match.
The first darts match of 2024 saw Rob Cross pull off one of the best comeback in the sport's history as he battled back from 4-0 down to beat Chris Dobey 5-4 in an Alexandra Palace thriller.
Littler was up next against the giant-killer Dolan in arguably the most hotly-anticipated quarter-final match.
The 16-year-old has blown away his opponents so far in the tournament, but got off to a shaky start against Dolan.
Luke Littler couldn't believe his eyes
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The darts veteran stole his young opponent's throw in the very first leg and threatened to take the opening set.
But his chances of winning the set 3-0 were hampered when he threw a rare 'robin hood' when his second dart landed on the back of his first.
Dolan couldn't believe his luck after his first dart landed in the triple 20 and his second looked to be going in the same spot.
That miss proved costly as Dolan missed out on a much-needed 60 to put pressure on Littler.
The world youth champion showed his ruthless streak at that point to clean up the leg for his first point on the board.
And that clearly settled some nerves for Littler as he rattled through the next six consecutive legs to take a quick two-set lead.
The teenager averaged around 120 in the second set to completely demolish Dolan.
Littler has got two of the three highest averages in the whole tournament, including an average of 105 during his fourth-round win over Raymond van Barneveld.
Luke Littler raced to an early lead
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Beating Van Barneveld was Littler's biggest win of the tournament so far and had the teenager dreaming of going all the way at Alexandra Palace.
"It is an incredible feeling. My cover shooting was unbelievable, my doubles got me over the line, and I think I am daring to dream now. I have seen the draw," he said.
"I am only three wins away now. I'm so young, only 16 and I have got nothing to fear, I have got no-one to fear, my game can be better than anyone's on the day and I have shown it there against one of the greatest who have graced that stage.
Luke Littler averaged 105 against Raymond van Barneveld
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"With performances like that I can go all the way.
"I've pictured myself winning it. I look at the draw and see Brendan next and then Chris Dobey against Rob Cross in the other quarter.
"I fancy myself. I do fancy myself."
