Matches between Littler and Van Gerwen are usually full of quality but the standards hit the floor in the fifth leg, which resembled pub darts with both men slugging it out on double one. Van Gerwen was 3-1 up and made an impressive start, needing double eight to seal the deal and move even further ahead.

The Dutchman failed to take his chances, though, hitting the single eight and then a single four to leave himself on a double two. Littler then spurned an opportunity to check out 60 for the leg before Van Gerwen missed another three doubles, with Littler going on to to hit 18 and leave himself on double one.

Van Gerwen stepped up for another go at closing out the leg but could only manage a single two before missing with his two remaining darts. It left both players needing double one, prompting Littler to burst out laughing with the crowd jeering in the background.

Littler responded by gesturing for the fans to make more noise before stepping up and missing with his first dart at double one. The next dart landed in the single one, rendering him bust and allowing Van Gerwen yet another chance to move into a 4-1 lead.

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