Defending champion Luke Littler experienced a dramatic and unexpected first‑round loss at the World Grand Prix in Leicester, bowing out 2‑1 to fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse. The upset came on the same evening that six‑time champion Michael van Gerwyn also saw his campaign end prematurely. Littler started the match brightly, capturing the opening set, but he was clearly not at his usual level. Woodhouse capitalized on a series of missed doubles, turning the first set into a tense deciding leg that he eventually won.
Once the momentum shifted, Woodhouse did not look back, securing both the second and third sets without giving Littler a chance to recover, thereby delivering one of the most surprising upsets in the history of the double‑in, double‑out format. Following his victory, Woodhouse earned a place in the second round where he will meet former finalist Nathan Aspinall, who had earlier dispatched Kevin Doets in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider on the opening night. Littler, meanwhile, took to Instagram to comment on his defeat.
He wrote, "Well played @lukewoodly180 was a good game, good one to be apart of aswell. Both hit, both missed but Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to Luke for rest of tournament." He then hinted that he would shift his focus to the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, an event that features his beloved Warrington Wolves and would have clashed with the Grand Prix semi‑finals. "May aswell get myself to OT [Old Trafford] now I'm out.
Let's go the Wire @warringtonrlfc," he added. Woodhouse praised his young opponent after the match, saying, "Luke's not a robot. He's going to have days and weeks and whatever where he's not right on it.
But people have echoed it and I'm going to say it again, he's one of a kind, Luke. I hope people will take the time to appreciate how good he is and not give him a hard time.
You might not see another Luke Littler ever again." The sentiment underscores how Littler, despite his youth, has already made a significant impression on the darts community. The night also delivered a harsh blow to Michael van Gerwyn, whose aspirations for a seventh Grand Prix title were extinguished by a third consecutive first‑round exit. Dutch star Ryan Joyce rallied from a set down to defeat van Gerwyn, adding another chapter to the Dutchman's recent struggles in the tournament.
In contrast, Welsh representatives Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, winners of the 2020 and 2021 editions respectively, both advanced comfortably. Price delivered a standout performance, posting a 101.61 average and dropping only a single leg in his win over Sebastian Bialecki, while Clayton endured a grueling battle against Krzysztof Ratajski that stretched to the full distance, one of six matches on opening night to go the distance. Other notable moments included Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets missing match darts in their respective defeats to Ross Smith and Nathan Aspinall.
Both players had opportunities to close out two‑set victories; Menzies missed two darts at the double‑top before Smith swept him 3‑0 in a decisive third set, while Doets squandered three match darts—including a wild miss at the bullseye—allowing Aspinall to prevail in a final‑leg decider. Danny Noppert started the evening with a blistering run of five consecutive legs, only to see Niko Springer surge back and claim the next three, taking the second set before the match settled into a more typical rhythm in the third. Meanwhile, Wessel Nijman rounded off the night with a straightforward 2‑0 win over former world champion Rob Cross, setting up a future clash with Jonny Clayton.
The second round is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, with quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the final on Sunday. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with daily coverage continuing through the final. For those without a contract, NOW offers a streaming option.
In a personal revelation, Ross Smith disclosed that he nearly withdrew from the World Grand Prix after a recent hospital stay. "I've had a week from hell," Smith explained after his first‑round win.
"I came home and picked up some sort of virus and I've had a few issues with my heart as well. I was in hospital on Friday.
I thought I was pulling out of this event on Saturday, so to be here is an achievement in itself. Let alone play and win like that, I'm very happy." His determination adds another layer of drama to a tournament already rich with surprise outcomes and compelling storylines.
Overall, the opening night of the World Grand Prix delivered a mix of shock eliminations, impressive comebacks, and heartfelt narratives, setting the stage for an exciting second round as the remaining competitors vie for the coveted title.