Luke Littler has another go at 167 but misses the treble 19 this time with Michael van Gerwen waiting on 53.

The Dutchman makes no mistake. An instant response.

Having hit his first 180 earlier in the leg, Luke Littler comes close to taking out 167.

Michael van Gerwen follows up by going close on 160 but can't find tops.

That lets Littler back in to grab the early break.

Michael van Gerwen has the darts and away we go...

Image source, PA Media

The Nottingham crowd are in good voice to welcome Luke Littler to the oche.

The boos for Michael van Gerwen make it clear who they will be backing in his one.

Of course, that doesn't stop them getting involved in chants of "Oh Michael van Gerwen" as Seven Nation Army rings out.

Michael van Gerwen, speaking to Sky Sports: "It [my game] is not where it should be but that's how darts goes sometimes. It's the fifth time we're going to play each other, it's getting normal now. There has to be a winner and there has to be a loser."

Luke Littler: "It was a good weekend [in Belgium], job done. It's the first game, I'm pretty good at winning those and getting the first two points. Hopefully whatever happens it'll be a good game."

Wayne Mardle
Former World Championship semi-finalist on Sky Sports

Special players over the decades have done special things and he's a special player.

On his World Series debut in Bahrain, he wins and hits a nine-darter. He wins on his Pro Tour debut, he wins on his European Tour debut and hits a nine-darter.

This kid has got it, the whole world knows he's got it, but he's handling the pressure and the newness so well.

One thing though - winning darts matches is not new to him, playing darts all the time is not new. He's won ranking events in other systems.

He's taking it all in his stride because this is not new. The bottom line is that he's good enough.

Image source, Reuters

Luke Littler hit a nine-darter as he won the Belgian Open on his European Tour debut on Sunday.

Littler, 17, beat Rob Cross in Wieze in a close final 8-7 to claim the £30,000 winner's prize money.

The nine-darter put Littler 6-5 up but Cross pushed him all the way and the teenager took victory with a 103.76 average in the final.

"I hit the nine and then lost the next two legs, so I'm just glad to get over the line," Littler said.

"It's always good to be involved in a good game. We always push ourselves to the last leg."

Image source, BBC/PA Media/Reuters

First plays third in a huge match-up next, as Michael van Gerwen takes on Luke Littler - this should be some match!

MVG looked unstoppable for a spell as he won three weeks in a row, but a drop-off has seen him fall at the first hurdle in each of the past two weeks.

He was well beaten by Rob Cross last week but the Dutchman has a good record against Littler, beating him in the final in Berlin and semis in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Littler is still searching for his first weekly win.

He has gone out in the semi-finals in four of the first six weeks, including last week when he was beaten 6-3 by Michael Smith.

Is tonight the night the teen sensation gets his first weekly win?

Job done for Luke Humphries as he makes it back-to-back wins over Michael Smith.

A pair of 180s, an average of 103.51 and a checkout percentage of 60 in an impressive showing.

Michael Smith fought back well but he was comfortably outscored, averaging 90.31 and he hit with just 30.8% of his darts at double.

Image source, PA Media

Luke Humphries is through to the semi-finals!

He was made to work by Michael Smith but he breaks to seal the win.

Bully Boy just missed the bullseye to force a decider and Humphries made sure that he wouldn't get another chance.

Luke Humphries shows his quality and holds his nerve.

Having let Michael Smith back in, he retakes the lead with a 15-dart leg.

A 70 checkout to move a leg from victory.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

It's tough to play someone like Luke, who is on top of the world and playing great. You put pressure on every throw and that doesn't help, you need to give yourself some freedom.

From 4-1 down, Michael Smith is level at 4-4.

He needs three darts to hit the double five to bring him level but regardless, we're all square again.

Michael Smith is right back in this match!

Luke Humphries looked to be cruising to a comfortable hold but Smith put the pressure on with a maximum.

Humphries failed to finish and Smith nipped in.

John Part
Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

What a shot! That's the statement to say "I'm down but I'm not out and I can produce".

A little bit of admiration from Luke, Smith showing some fight.

There are turning points in matches and that 146 might be one in this match.

Image source, PA Media

That's more like it from Michael Smith!

With Luke Humphries closing on another break, Smith takes out 146 to close the gap.

Treble 20, treble 20, double 13. Brilliant.

Mark Webster
Former BDO world champion on Sky Sports

This could be over in no time.

Luke Humphries is pulling away now.

Michael Smith is nowhere close as "Cool Hand" hits double 16 to move three legs clear.

Excellent set up from Luke Humphries to leave himself tops to break after a lapse from Michael Smith.

The world champ needs just one dart to at the double to secure the first break of the match.