Littler loses in last 16 in Players Championship

World champion Luke Littler was knocked out of the 12th Players Championship event in the last 16 by Ritchie Edhouse.

Littler, 18, trailed 4-1 but fought back to lead 5-4 before being taken to a deciding leg by world number 26 Edhouse in Leicester.

But the current Premier League Darts champion hit double five rather than double 20 when attempting a 120 checkout and Edhouse hit double tops with his first dart to seal the win.

Littler's defeat follows him being knocked out in the first round of the 11th event on Tuesday.

He will return to action on Thursday for the 10th night of the Premier League season in Manchester and will look to extend his six-point advantage at the top of the table.

Edhouse then lost 6-4 to the Netherlands' Gian van Veen in the quarter-finals.

Van Veen will face Josh Rock in the semi-finals after the Northern Irishman beat Gary Anderson 6-3, having earlier hit a nine-darter against Matt Campbell in round three.

The other semi-final sees Ian White face 2021 world champion Gerwyn Price after the pair beat Luke Woodhouse and Jonny Clayton respectively in the quarter-finals.

World number one Luke Humphries lost 6-5 to Belgium's Mario Vandenbogaerde in the last 32, while Michael van Gerwen was beaten 6-3 by Rhys Griffin in the opening round.

Scotland's Cameron Menzies, who won Tuesday's event in Leicester, opted not to play on Wednesday.

There are 34 Players Championship events across the year, with the competition's finals held in Minehead in November.