World champion Luke Littler scraped through to the Australian Darts Masters quarter-finals after surviving a nail-biting encounter that went down to the wire in Wollongong.
Littler needed a decisive eleventh leg to overcome New Zealand's Haupai Puha 6-5, completing the victory with a 13-dart finish whilst throwing second.
The match began disastrously for Littler, who found himself trailing 2-0 in the early stages.
He managed to recover and establish a 3-2 advantage, only for Puha to respond with consecutive 12-dart legs that put the New Zealander ahead 4-3.
The World No2 looked to the floor after a disappointing start
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Littler demonstrated his fighting spirit by reclaiming the lead through a 119 checkout against the darts, but the momentum continued to shift.
After his failed attempt at the maximum checkout 170, Puha seized the opportunity to level the match at 5-5.
The deciding leg saw Littler finally steady his nerves, holding his throw to secure passage to the quarter-finals.
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Luke Littler shook hands with Haupai Puha after a tough match
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The teenager's relief was palpable after clinching double six in the final leg, having squandered an opportunity to wrap up the match in the previous leg.
His pursuit of a first World Series triumph this year remains alive, though barely, following a performance that fell well short of his usual standards.
The reigning World Matchplay champion posted a disappointing average of merely 91.80 throughout the contest, struggling to find his rhythm against the determined New Zealander.
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His finishing proved particularly problematic, with twelve unsuccessful attempts at doubles hampering his progress.
Tomorrow's quarter-final will pit Littler against Australian favourite Damon Heta, who produced a dominant display in his opening match.
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Luke Littler will now face Damon Heta in the second round
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Heta demolished compatriot James Bailey 6-0 whilst recording a hugely impressive 109.98 average.
The tournament saw mixed fortunes for other top seeds. World No1 Luke Humphries recovered from losing the first two legs against Jonny Tata to prevail 6-3, earning a quarter-final meeting with World Series newcomer Mike De Decker, who defeated Brandon Weening 6-2.
Defending champion Gerwyn Price began his title defence with a 6-3 victory over Joe Comito, whilst Stephen Bunting cruised past Brody Klinge 6-1 and Josh Rock defeated Simon Whitlock by the same scoreline.