Littler upset by Luke Woodhouse in Leicester at World Grand Prix

World champion Luke Littler was eliminated from the World Grand Prix in Leicester on Monday after a shock first-round defeat by Luke Woodhouse, ending his defence of the title.

Littler, 19, had been aiming to recover from a quarter-final exit to Jonny Clayton at the World Series of Darts Finals just over a week earlier. He did take the opening set but was distinctly below par across the best-of-three encounter, averaging just 82.41.

Woodhouse levelled the contest after losing the first set and produced a decisive checkout of 75 to take the final set 3-1 in legs. That finish secured the upset and sent Littler out in the opening round.

Nathan Aspinall edged past Dutch debutant Kevin Doets 2-1 to advance to the last 16. Aspinall is the 2022 runner-up and now joins the next stage of the tournament.

Six-time winner Michael van Gerwen dropped five of the final six legs as 2024 semi-finalist Ryan Joyce fought back to win 2-1. Joyce will face Dutchman Danny Noppert, who defeated Germany's Niko Springer 2-1 to reach the next round.

Wales' Gerwyn Price lost only a single leg in a 2-0 victory over Poland's Sebastian Bialecki. England's Ross Smith recovered from behind to beat Scotland's Cameron Menzies 2-1 and is paired to meet Price in the last 16.

Jonny Clayton edged past Krzysztof Ratajski 2-1 in his opening match. Wessel Nijman overcame 2018 world champion Rob Cross in straight sets to move through.

The winners progress into the tournament's last 16, where Woodhouse will face 2022 runner-up Nathan Aspinall, Ryan Joyce meets Danny Noppert, Gerwyn Price plays Ross Smith, and Jonny Clayton is paired with Wessel Nijman.