Luke Littler: World champion sets up Michael van Gerwen rematch at Dutch Masters

Earlier, there was a major upset as world number one Luke Humphries was beaten 6-3 by home hero Jermaine Wattimena, ranked 35th.

After going 2-0 down, Dutchman Wattimena won five successive legs while throwing some sensational darts in averaging 98.86, more than seven points higher than Humphries – before holding his nerve and his throw to spark wild celebrations.

Wattimena will face world number four Rob Cross in the quarter-finals, after the Englishman beat Richard Veenstra 6-3 in the opening match of the night.

The partisan crowd in Den Bosch had plenty to enjoy with seven of the eight first round matches featuring Dutch players.

And they were also thrilled as Raymond van Barneveld rolled back the years to stun Chris Dobey in an 11-leg thriller.

The 57-year-old was visibly emotional after taking out a 144 checkout in the final leg to beat Dobey 6-5, after the Englishman had missed a match dart.

This was one of numerous exciting games on Friday evening, and followed top seed Stephen Bunting narrowly seeing off Dutch hope Gian van Veen in another 11-leg battle.

Bunting is ranked first at this tournament after winning the Bahrain Masters last weekend, but the Liverpudlian was forced to a deciding leg by van Veen.

He held his nerve in the final set to beat the world youth champion 6-5 and proceed to the last eight where he will face van Barneveld.

The home fans were also delighted by home favourite Kevin Doets cruising to a 6-1 win over world number 11 Nathan Aspinall.

Doets will next play second seed Gerwyn Price, who comfortably beat Danny Noppert 6-2.