STUART Kellett won four successive legs to beat one of the world’s best players in the Dutch Masters on Saturday.

The Northwich ace reached the last 16, where he will face Wes Newton, after sending out Simon Whitlock – the tournament’s ninth seed – 6-3 in Veldhoven.

It marks his first defeat of the Australian since joining the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

Whitlock hit a maximum en route to winning the opening leg, taking out tops, before Kellett replied in kind to level in 13 darts on double 16.

He then broke the former European champion, who failed three times to land a double in the third leg.

Whitlock took out 108 to make it 2-2, then traded maximums with the Cheshire thrower before moving 3-2 up despite five missed darts at tops.

Kellett restored parity on his own throw on double 18 after his foe fumbled two attempts at the same target, winning the next couple of legs in 13 darts – the first on double 10 and the second on nine – to lead 5-3.

The 32-year-old secured victory on tops to set up a head-to-head with Newton, conqueror of

Kellett’s MDA Promotions stable mate Dean Winstanley earlier in the day.

They meet during tomorrow’s afternoon session at the NH Hotel Koningshof.