Chasing a third successive title in Belgium, Littler brushed aside Croatia’s Boris Krcmar 6-2, racing into a four-leg lead with an average beyond 115 before closing out the contest at 104.7.
“I love it here,” said Littler, who also landed six 180s en route to his victory.
“My first European Tour event was here. I want to win it again, and performances like that will put me up there.
“Coming off the back of that (Premier League) win in Ireland, it’s set me up well, and I can’t wait to go again tomorrow.”
Luke Humphries, the world number two, fended off a spirited rally by Dirk van Duijvenbode to complete a 6-4 win. Humphries’ finishing proved decisive, landing six doubles from 12 attempts to maintain his progress.
Michael van Gerwen ensured further heavyweight presence in the latter stages, overcoming Mickey Mansell by the same scoreline. Mansell, who had impressed in round one, pushed the Dutchman throughout, but a clinical 114 checkout at a critical juncture tilted the balance.
There was mixed fortune for the home contingent, as Andy Baetens and Kim Huybrechts both rose to the occasion, producing composed 6-4 victories over Premier League regulars Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock, respectively.
Huybrechts’ win was particularly notable, reeling off four consecutive legs from 4-2 down to deny the Northern Irishman.
Belgium’s leading light Mike De Decker, however, fell just short of joining them, surrendering a 5-3 advantage to the Netherlands’ Niels Zonneveld, who held his nerve in the closing stages to set up a meeting with Littler.
Danny Noppert delivered arguably the performance of the day, averaging 106.17 and firing in three 11-darters to dispatch Luke Woodhouse 6-3. He now faces Ryan Searle, who edged past Ricky Evans in a deciding leg, sealing victory with a nerveless 122 finish.
Chris Dobey’s pursuit of a first European Tour title gathered pace with a 6–3 victory over Dave Chisnall, while Ryan Joyce continued his run by overcoming Nathan Aspinall by the same margin to book a meeting with Spain’s Cristo Reyes.
Reyes, in turn, accounted for James Wade with surprising ease, the ten-time TV title winner unable to match the Spaniard’s scoring power in a 6-2 defeat.
Elsewhere, Daryl Gurney marked a milestone weekend fittingly, defeating Damon Heta to secure his first career win over the Australian and set up a meeting with Van Gerwen on his 40th birthday.
Jermaine Wattimena also progressed, recovering from a sluggish start to beat Ryan Meikle and arrange a clash with Humphries, while Germany’s Martin Schindler saw off Ireland’s William O’Connor to earn a tie against Baetens.
Jonny Clayton and Ross Smith complete the last-16 line-up following hard-fought victories.
Results
Afternoon session
Ross Smith 6-4 Cameron Menzies
Jermaine Wattimena 6-3 Ryan Meikle
Chris Dobey 6-3 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-5 Ricky Evans
Martin Schindler 6-3 William O'Connor
Daryl Gurney 6-3 Damon Heta
Danny Noppert 6-3 Luke Woodhouse
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Evening session
Cristo Reyes 6-2 James Wade
Jonny Clayton 6-3 Sebastian Bialecki
Andy Baetens 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Mike De Decker
Luke Littler 6-2 Boris Krcmar
Luke Humphries 6-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Mickey Mansell
Kim Huybrechts 6-4 Josh Rock
