Defending champion Luke Littler loses on opening night of World Grand Prix

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Luke Littler’s defence of his World Grand Prix title was over on the opening night in Leicester after he was upstaged 2-1 by Luke Woodhouse.

Aiming to bounce back following his quarter-final exit in the World Series of Darts a week ago, the 19-year-old instead threw away a commanding position against the underdog in the last 32 match.

Woodhouse came on strong in the final set of the double-in, double-out format competition, going 2-0 ahead and then holding off a Littler fightback to complete a major upset and the biggest win of his career.

Littler raced out of the blocks by taking the opening leg while Woodhouse was still in the 300s.

‘The Nuke’ then faced stiffer competition from the 37-year-old from Bewdley but a double 15 as part off a 106 checkout saw him take the first set 3-1, although only after Woodhouse had allowed a commanding position to crumble.

Woodhouse took the lead for the first time in the second set, roaring 2-1 ahead and when Littler levelled he held his nerve on a double 16 in the decider to set up a winner takes all set.

Luke Woodhouse produceed the biggest win of his career by defeating Luke Littler (John Walton/PA) (PA Archive)

The underdog rose to the occasion magnificently, racing ahead and then when the moment came producing double 12 to earn warm congratulations from Litttler.

Wales’ Gerwyn Price crushed Polish debutant Sebastian Bialecki 2-0, averaging 101.61 and nailing three 180s as he launched his bid to win a title he last claimed in 2020 with an impressive win.

Michael van Gerwen’s bid for a seventh World Grand Prix crown ended on the opening night after he threw away a one-set lead to lose 2-1 to Ryan Joyce.

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