Luke Littler loses 2-1 to Luke Woodhouse in World Grand Prix opener
Luke Littler suffered a 2-1 first-round defeat to Luke Woodhouse in Leicester on Monday in the opening round of the World Grand Prix, ending Littler’s defence of the title. Littler averaged 82.41 to Woodhouse’s 82.51 across the match.
Littler entered the tournament as the world No 1 and defending champion, aiming to respond after a quarter-final exit to Jonny Clayton in the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam a week earlier. He had threatened to boycott tournaments in the Netherlands after being booed and whistled in Amsterdam and missed the latest Players Championship events in Den Bosch. The World Grand Prix uses a double-in, double-out format and Littler was playing in front of a more supportive crowd in Leicester.
Littler began strongly in the opening set, taking the first leg while Woodhouse was still in the 300s. He then hit a double 15 to complete a 106 checkout and secured the set 3-1 despite appearing below his best pace. The early advantage belonged to the world No 1.
Woodhouse, the world No 18 from Worcestershire, moved ahead for the first time in the second set, roaring 2-1 in legs. Littler levelled at 2-2, but Woodhouse closed the set with a double 16 in the deciding leg to force a third set. The second set swing set up a final-set decider.
In the deciding set Woodhouse moved 2-0 ahead and then held off a Littler fightback to complete the upset, sealing victory on double 12 and receiving warm congratulations from Littler. The 19-year-old double world champion was magnanimous after his defeat, writing on social media: “Well played @lukewoody180 was a good game … Luke took his chance and nice week off now, all the best to [him] for rest of the tournament.”
Littler was one of three world champions to exit in the last 32 on Monday. Rob Cross lost 2-0 to the 12th seed Wessel Nijman, while Michael van Gerwen threw away a one-set lead to lose 2-1 to Ryan Joyce and saw his bid for a seventh World Grand Prix crown end on the opening night. Gerwyn Price defeated Polish debutant Sebastian Bialecki 2-0, averaging 101.61 and hitting three 180s; Ross Smith beat Cameron Menzies, and Jonny Clayton and Danny Noppert also advanced.
Woodhouse will face Nathan Aspinall in the last 16 after Aspinall edged Dutchman Kevin Doets 2-1, while Gerwyn Price is set to meet Ross Smith in the last 16 following Smith’s victory over Cameron Menzies.