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 as the defence of his World Grand Prix title ended at the first hurdle.

The world No 1 was aiming to bounce back from his quarter-final exit to Jonny Clayton in the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam a week ago. Littler threatened to boycott tournaments in the Netherlands after being booed and whistled during the event, and missed the latest Players Championship events in Den Bosch.

Playing in front of a more supportive crowd in Leicester on Monday, Littler raced out of the blocks in the double-in, double-out format, taking the opening leg while Woodhouse was still in the 300s. “The Nuke” then hit a double 15 to complete a 106 checkout as he won the first set 3-1 despite looking far from his best.

Woodhouse took the lead for the first time in the second set, the world No 18 from Worcestershire roaring 2-1 ahead in legs. Even when Littler levelled at 2-2, Woodhouse held his nerve on a double 16 in the decider to set up a deciding set.

The underdog came on strong in the final set, moving 2-0 ahead and then holding off a Littler fightback to complete a major upset. Woodhouse sealed victory on double 12, earning warm congratulations from Littler, who averaged 82.41 to his opponent’s 82.51. Woodhouse will play Nathan Aspinall in the last 16, after he edged past Dutchman Kevin Doets 2-1.

The 19-year-old double world champion was magnanimous after his defeat, writing on social media: “Well played @lukewoody180 was a good game … Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to [him] for rest of the tournament.”

Littler was one of three world champions to crash out in the last 32 on Monday, with Rob Cross losing 2-0 to the 12th seed, Wessel Nijman. Michael van Gerwen’s bid for a seventh World Grand Prix crown also ended on the opening night as he threw away a one-set lead, losing 2-1 to Ryan Joyce.

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