Reigning champion Luke Littler moved into the quarter-finals of the UK Open with a comfortable 10-5 win over Gary Anderson.

Having narrowly edged past Kevin Doets 10-8 in the fifth round in Saturday’s afternoon session, world number one Littler raised his game on his return to the oche and sped into a 4-1 lead.

Anderson momentarily looked as though he could claw his way back as he took the seventh leg against the throw.

But the double world champion reimposed his authority to head the Scot 7-3 at the second break.

With his opponent unable to show the form he had displayed earlier in the tournament, Littler hit double top in the 16th game to seal his progress.

In the opening match of Saturday’s evening session on the main stage, Josh Rock triumphed 10-7 against Stephen Bunting.

Meanwhile, on the second stage, Premier League leader Jonny Clayton beat Martin Lukeman 10-7, having hit eight maximums, and Rob Cross overcame Daryl Gurney 10-6.