Australia's Damon "the Heat" Heta has shown enormous grit to claw his way into the third round of the world darts championship for a fifth straight year.
The 38-year-old from Perth struggled badly early against cool Swiss opponent Stefan Bellmont and trailed for much of the match, needing to call on all of his experience to triumph 3-2 at London's Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.
World No.16 Heta found his best touch late and set up a clash with 2018 champion Rob Cross, when he will attempt to match his previous-best fourth-round showing at the showpiece event achieved last year.
"I know he (Cross) is a world champion, he knows what it is about, so it's definitely an uphill battle," said a relieved Heta, who admitted feeling drained after battling to find his rhythm against Bellmont.
Australia's No.1 has endured a tough year in the sport's biggest events, suffering first-round exits at the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, European Championship and Players Championship Finals and bowing out in the round-robin stage at last month's Grand Slam of Darts.
However he has won two Players Championship titles in 2025.
Earlier, England's teen sensation Luke Littler cruised through to the third round as his path to a successful title defence opened up after Gerwyn Price's shock exit.
Littler brushed past Welshman David Davies 3-0. he was nowhere near his imperious best but did not need to be as he extended his winning streak to 15 senior matches, going back to October 25.
"Everyone is on about the £1million (prize money), it's there in front of you, but back-to-back is the only thing I want," said Littler.
The first real test of his defence was expected to be a quarter-final against Price after Christmas, but that will now not happen after the Welshman was dumped out 3-0 by the world number 92 Wesley Plaisier.
- with PA
