Defending champion Luke Littler experienced a surprising first‑round exit at the World Grand Prix, bowing out 2‑1 to fellow Englishman Luke Woodhouse in Leicester. The upset came on the same evening that six‑time champion Michael van Gerwen was also knocked out of the tournament, adding further drama to an already eventful opening night. Littler started the match brightly, capturing the first set with a series of high‑scoring visits.
However, his performance was far from his usual clinical standard, and Woodhouse capitalised on several missed doubles to force a deciding leg. In the final set, Woodhouse displayed composure and precision, winning both the second and third sets without looking back. His victory marked one of the most significant upsets in the history of the double‑in, double‑out format that defines the World Grand Prix.
Following his win over Littler, Woodhouse will meet former finalist Nathan Aspinall in the second round. Aspinall earned his place by edging out Kevin Doets in a nail‑biting final‑leg decider earlier on the opening night. The matchup promises to be a compelling clash between a seasoned campaigner and a player who has already demonstrated his ability to thrive under pressure.
After the match, Littler took to Instagram to share his thoughts. He wrote, "Well played @lukewoodly180 – it was a good game, and I’m glad to have been part of it as well. Both of us hit our chances and missed some, but Luke seized his opportunity.
Have a great week ahead and best of luck for the rest of the tournament." He then hinted at his plans for the weekend, noting that he would likely attend the Super League Grand Final on Saturday to support his beloved Warrington Wolves, an event that would have conflicted with the Grand Prix semi‑finals. "Maybe I’ll make it to OT [Old Trafford] now that I’m out. Let’s go the Wire @warringtonrlfc," he added. Woodhouse, reflecting on his victory, praised Littler’s talent while acknowledging the inevitable ebb and flow of form in sport.
"Luke isn’t a robot. He’ll have days, weeks, and periods where he isn’t at his best," he said. "But people keep repeating it, and I’ll say it again: he’s one of a kind.
I hope fans recognise how exceptional he is and give him the respect he deserves. You might never see another Luke Littler again." The night also saw Michael van Gerwen’s hopes of a seventh Grand Prix title dashed.
The Dutch maestro suffered a third consecutive first‑round loss, falling 2‑1 to Ryan Joyce after Joyce rallied from a set down to claim the match. Van Gerwen’s early exit underscores the increasing depth of talent in the field and the difficulty of maintaining dominance in a tournament where every leg counts twice.
Welsh stars Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 Grand Prix champions respectively, both advanced comfortably. Price delivered what many called the performance of the evening, averaging an impressive 101.61 and dropping only a single leg in his 2‑0 victory over Sebastian Bialecki. Clayton, meanwhile, endured a grueling battle against Krzysztof Ratajski; their encounter was one of six matches on opening night that stretched to the full distance, testing both players’ stamina and focus.
Other notable moments included Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets missing match darts in their defeats to Ross Smith and Nathan Aspinall. Menzies had two chances to close out a two‑set lead but missed both, allowing Smith to sweep him 3‑0 in the deciding set.
Doets, despite creating three match‑dart opportunities – including a wild miss at the bullseye – could not convert, and Aspinall ultimately prevailed in a last‑leg decider. Danny Noppert burst onto the scene with a dominant start, taking five consecutive legs before Niko Springer rallied to win the next three and claim the second set. The third set returned to a more conventional rhythm, with Noppert eventually securing the match.
In another straightforward encounter, Wessel Nijman dispatched Rob Cross 2‑0, setting up a future clash with 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 catch 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 traditional subscription, NOW offers contract‑free streaming options and the latest Sky Sports deals.
In a poignant side story, Ross Smith revealed that he nearly withdrew from the tournament after a recent hospitalisation. "I’ve had a week from hell," Smith confessed after his opening‑round win.
"I came home with a virus and experienced heart‑related issues. I was in hospital on Friday and thought I’d have to pull out on Saturday. Being here, playing, and winning is an achievement in itself – I’m very happy." Overall, the first night of the World Grand Prix delivered a blend of shock upsets, high‑quality darts, and personal triumphs over adversity, setting the stage for an exciting week of competition.