Luke Littler suffers shock defeat to Luke Woodhouse in World Grand Prix opener

Luke Littler suffered a 2-1 defeat to Luke Woodhouse on his return to the oche because the defence of his World Grand Prix title ended on the first hurdle.

The planet No 1 was aiming to bounce again from his quarter-final exit to Jonny Clayton within the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam every week in the past. Littler threatened to boycott tournaments within the Netherlands after being booed and whistled in the course of the occasion, and missed the most recent Players Championship occasions in Den Bosch.

Playing in entrance of a extra supportive crowd in Leicester on Monday, Littler raced out of the blocks within the double-in, double-out format, taking the opening leg whereas Woodhouse was nonetheless within the 300s. “The Nuke” then hit a double 15 to finish a 106 checkout as he gained the primary set 3-1 regardless of wanting removed from his finest.

Woodhouse took the lead for the primary time within the second set, the planet No 18 from Worcestershire roaring 2-1 forward in legs. Even when Littler levelled at 2-2, Woodhouse held his nerve on a double 16 within the decider to arrange a deciding set.

The underdog got here on robust within the remaining set, transferring 2-0 forward after which holding off a Littler fightback to finish a significant upset. Woodhouse sealed victory on double 12, incomes heat congratulations from Littler, who averaged 82.41 to his opponent’s 82.51. Woodhouse will play Nathan Aspinall within the final 16, after he edged previous Dutchman Kevin Doets 2-1.

The 19-year-old double planet champion was magnanimous after his defeat, writing on social media: “Well performed @lukewoody180 was a very good sport … Luke took his likelihood and good week off now, all the very best to [him] for remainder of the match.”

Littler was one among three planet champions to crash out within the final 32 on Monday, with Rob Cross shedding 2-0 to the twelfth seed, Wessel Nijman. Michael van Gerwen’s bid for a seventh World Grand Prix crown additionally ended on the opening evening as he threw away a one-set lead, shedding 2-1 to Ryan Joyce.

Gerwyn Price crushed Polish debutant Sebastian Bialecki 2-0, averaging 101.61 and nailing three 180s because the Welshman launched his bid to win a title he final claimed in 2020. Price will face Ross Smith within the final 16 after he defeated Cameron Menzies, whereas Clayton and Danny Noppert additionally superior.