Defending champion Luke Littler suffered an unexpected first‑round defeat at the World Grand Prix, bowing out 2‑1 to England’s Luke Woodhouse in Leicester. The upset came on the same evening that six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen was also knocked out, adding to the night’s drama.
Littler started brightly, capturing the opening set, but he was never quite at his usual razor‑sharp best. Woodhouse, seizing every opportunity, missed several doubles but ultimately held his nerve to push the match into a decisive leg.
In the following two sets, Woodhouse found his rhythm, converting his chances without error and clinching a stunning victory that will be remembered as one of the biggest surprises in the history of the double‑in, double‑out format. With his win, Woodhouse will meet former finalist Nathan Aspinall in the second round, having earlier dispatched Kevin Doets in a nail‑biting final‑leg showdown on the opening night. After the match, Littler took to Instagram to express his respect for his opponent, writing: "Well played @lukewoodly180, it was a good game, good to be a part of as well. Both hit, both missed but Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to Luke for the rest of the tournament." Littler then hinted that his focus would shift to the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, a fixture featuring his beloved Warrington Wolves that would have clashed with the Grand Prix semi‑finals.
He posted: "May as well get myself to OT [Old Trafford] now I’m out. Let’s go the Wire @warringtonrlfc." Woodhouse, buoyed by his monumental win, praised Littler in the post‑match interview: "Luke’s not a robot. He’ll have days, weeks, whatever, where he’s not right on it.
But people keep saying it and I’ll say it again – he’s one of a kind, Luke. I hope people take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time. You might never see another Luke Littler again." Elsewhere on the night, Michael van Gerwen’s quest for a seventh Grand Prix title was halted as he suffered a third consecutive first‑round loss, falling to Ryan Joyce, who rallied from a set down to claim the win. The Dutchman’s early exit was a major talking point, underscoring the depth of competition in the tournament.
Welsh stars Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix champions respectively, both advanced comfortably. Price delivered a standout performance, averaging 101.61 and dropping only a single leg in his victory over Sebastian Bialecki, while Clayton was forced into a grueling battle with Krzysztof Ratajski.
Their match was one of six on the opening night that went the distance, highlighting the high standard of play. Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets each had chances to seal two‑set wins but faltered at the final hurdle.
Menzies missed two darts at the double top before Ross Smith swept him aside 3‑0 in the deciding set. Doets, meanwhile, threw away three match darts – including a wild miss at the bullseye – as Aspinall ultimately prevailed in a last‑leg decider. The evening also featured a spectacular start from Danny Noppert, who rolled off five consecutive legs before Niko Springer surged back to claim the next three, taking the second set. The third set returned to normal service, and Wessel Nijman rounded out the night with a routine 2‑0 win over Rob Cross.
Nijman’s next opponent will be Jonny Clayton, while Noppert will face the man who ended van Gerwen’s run, Ryan Joyce. Price, after his dominant display, is set to meet Ross Smith, who revealed a harrowing back‑story: he was hospitalized the week before the tournament with a virus and heart issues, almost withdrawing from the event.
"I’ve had a week from hell," Smith said after his victory. "I thought I was pulling out, so just being here is an achievement, let alone winning." The tournament’s second round is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, with quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday. Fans can watch day two live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 pm on Tuesday, with continuous coverage through to the championship match.
For those without a contract, NOW offers a streaming option. The World Grand Prix continues to deliver high‑octane darts, surprise upsets, and compelling storylines that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.