Luke Littler saw his hopes of winning the UK Open ruthlessly ended following a 10-8 defeat to Damon Heta on Sunday.
Littler had gone into the contest hoping to build on victories over Martin Schindler and Dave Chisnall 24 hours previously.
The 17-year-old felt sick during the day's play on Saturday, having not eaten anything prior to his match with Schindler.
And Heta beat the Briton on Sunday, throwing well as he secured a 10-8 victory in Minehead.
Luke Littler lost to Damon Heta at the UK Open on Sunday
ITV
It was a darts showdown for the ages, with both men performing at their best throughout.
Littler smashed in a 180 to kick off the quarter-final showdown before his Australian opponent was able to level.
There was little to choose between the pair during the early stages of the clash, with the duo sharing the first four legs.
Littler was able to go 3-2 up at the break but Heta, who was averaging 125.64, kept the heat on by drawing level - having produced a superb 180.
At 4-4, the match was delicately poised.
Yet Heta was able to break Littler's throw and, from that point on, took control.
The darts star was also able to break Littler to go 7-4 up, with the Aussie then proceeding to extend his lead.
Littler was able to pull one back and, as Heta threw for the match, suddenly upped the ante again.
Littler closed the deficit to just one leg, with the teenager appearing to let the shackles off as he went for the big scores.
But Heta kept his cool to close out the win and lay down a marker in the process.
Meanwhile, Littler said before the showdown that he'd felt sick during Saturday's action because he hadn't eaten.
The teenager also joked he wasn't a 'morning person' prior to losing today's match.
“I think if everyone didn’t know, they are going to know now that I am not a morning person,” he said.
“I did struggle this morning but I managed to get over the line against Martin.
“After that game, I chilled out, had some food, and I think played better in the evening, every player thinks they play better in the evening.
Luke Littler performed well despite losing to Damon Heta at the UK Open
GETTY
“I chilled myself out, went on my phone, went out for some food.
"This morning I didn’t have breakfast and I was feeling sick because there was nothing in my stomach and my adrenalin was going.
“That first game was really hard to get over the line.”
Darts fans have praised Heta after he consigned Littler to defeat.
One X user said: "Hetas best ever game."
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Heta beats Littler in an epic 🇦🇺👏#UKOpenDarts pic.twitter.com/3wXJdV5job
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 3, 2024
A second said: "Genuinely one of the best games I've ever seen."
A third stated: "Great win by the Heat. Fully deserved."
And a fourth weighed in by saying: "Get in Damo, what a performance."
