Littler exits Grand Prix
Defending Champion Luke Littler Exits World Grand Prix After First-Round Defeat
Anonymous
Luke Woodhouse beat defending champion Luke Littler 2-1 in the first round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester, recovering after losing the opening set; both players averaged just over 82. Woodhouse will face Nathan Aspinall in the last 16. Six-time champion Michael van Gerwen also lost 2-1 to Ryan Joyce after taking the first set, while Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton advanced.
Key Points
1
Woodhouse said Littler “is not a robot” and urged fans to appreciate the teenager’s ability rather than give him a hard time after the loss.
2
The World Grand Prix uses a double-in, double-out format: players must start and finish each leg on a double or the bullseye, with first-round matches played as best of three sets.
3
Littler had missed the latest Players Championship events in Den Bosch after saying he might boycott tournaments in the Netherlands, following boos and whistles at the World Series of Darts Finals.
4
Ryan Joyce’s win over van Gerwen marked the Dutchman’s third consecutive first-round exit at the World Grand Prix.
5
Three other players also advanced after close matches: Ross Smith beat Cameron Menzies after Menzies missed two match darts, while Nathan Aspinall edged Kevin Doets after Doets missed three match darts.
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