Defending champion Luke Littler suffered a surprising first‑round defeat at the World Grand Prix, bowing out 2‑1 to fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse in Leicester. The loss came on the same evening that six‑time champion Michael van Gerwyn was also eliminated, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the double‑in, double‑out format.
Littler started the match strongly, taking the opening set after a series of high‑scoring visits. However, his performance was far from the flawless display that fans have come to expect. Woodhouse, who had several opportunities to close the first set with a double, missed each one, allowing Littler to edge ahead and force a deciding leg. The momentum then shifted dramatically.
In the second set Woodhouse found his rhythm, converting his doubles with precision and putting Littler under relentless pressure. The third set followed a similar pattern, with Woodhouse maintaining composure and finishing each leg cleanly. By the time the final leg was played, it was clear that Woodhouse had orchestrated one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history, sending the young champion home earlier than anyone anticipated.
With the victory, Woodhouse advanced to face former finalist Nathan Aspinall in the second round. Earlier in the evening, Woodhouse had already demonstrated his fighting spirit by beating Kevin Doets in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider, showcasing the depth of competition on the opening night.
After his unexpected exit, Littler took to Instagram to express his respect for his opponent and his own disappointment. 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." The post highlighted his sportsmanship and his acknowledgment that even the best players have off days. Littler also hinted at his upcoming plans, indicating that he would now focus on the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, a match featuring his beloved Warrington Wolves.
He joked, "May aswell get myself to OT [Old Trafford] now I'm out. Let's go the Wire @warringtonrlfc," signalling that his attention would shift from darts to rugby league for the weekend. Woodhouse, reflecting on his triumph, praised Littler’s talent while reminding fans that the young prodigy is still human.
"Luke's not a robot. He's going to have days and weeks and whatever where he's not right on it," he said. "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 night also saw Michael van Gerwyn’s campaign end abruptly. The Dutch star, who was chasing a seventh Grand Prix title, suffered a third consecutive first‑round defeat, this time at the hands of Ryan Joyce, who rallied from a set down to clinch the win.
Van Gerwyn’s early exit adds to a growing narrative of his recent struggles in the event. Welsh representatives Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix champions respectively, both progressed comfortably. Price delivered what many called the performance of the night, averaging 101.61 and dropping only a single leg in his 3‑0 victory over Sebastian Bialecki. Clayton, meanwhile, endured a grueling battle against Krzysztof Ratajski, with the match stretching to a deciding leg – one of six matches on opening night that went the distance.
Other notable results included Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets missing match darts in their defeats to Ross Smith and Nathan Aspinall. Both opponents capitalised on those missed opportunities, with Smith sweeping Menzies 3‑0 in a decisive third set after Menzies failed to hit two tops.
Doets, after spurning three match darts – including a wild miss at the bullseye – saw Aspinall prevail in a final‑leg showdown. Danny Noppert kicked off the evening with a dominant display, taking five straight legs before Niko Springer rallied to claim the next three, securing the second set. The third set returned to a more typical rhythm, with Noppert ultimately prevailing. In another match, Wessel Nijman dispatched Rob Cross with a straightforward 2‑0 win, setting up a quarter‑final clash against Jonny Clayton.
The second round is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, followed by quarter‑finals on Friday, semi‑finals on Saturday, and the championship match on Sunday. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event from 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with comprehensive coverage continuing through to the final.
One of the most compelling stories of the night came from Ross Smith, who revealed that he nearly withdrew from the tournament after a serious health scare. "I've had a week from hell," Smith said 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 resilience added an emotional layer to the competition, illustrating the personal challenges many players face beyond the oche. Overall, the opening night of the World Grand Prix delivered a blend of shock upsets, dominant performances, and inspiring personal stories, setting the stage for a thrilling remainder of the tournament.