Can you believe the defending champ went out first? Luke Littler fell 2-1 to Luke Woodhouse in Leicester, the same night six‑time winner Michael van Gerwen was eliminated.
Littler seized the opening set, yet his form lagged as Woodhouse missed several doubles before clinching the leg that forced a decider.
Woodhouse then dominated the next two sets, delivering one of the tournament’s biggest upsets in the double‑in, double‑out format.
He now meets former finalist Nathan Aspinall in round two after dispatching Kevin Doets in a final‑leg thriller on opening night.
Littler posted on Instagram: “Well played @lukewoodly180, great game, happy to be part of it.”
“Both hit, both missed, but Luke took his chance. Enjoy the week off, all the best for the rest of the tournament.”
He then hinted at heading to the Super League Grand Final on Saturday, which features his beloved Warrington Wolves and would have clashed with the Grand Prix semis.
“Maybe I’ll make it to OT now that I’m out. Let’s go, Wire @warringtonrlfc,” Littler added.
In my view, Woodhouse proved he’s a real threat.
Woodhouse said, “Luke’s not a robot; he’ll have off days and weeks.”
“People need to recognize his talent and stop giving him grief. You might never see another Luke Littler again.”
Van Gerwen eliminated, but Price and Clayton advance.
Elsewhere, Van Gerwen’s bid for a seventh Grand Prix title ended with a third consecutive first‑round defeat, as Ryan Joyce rallied from a set down to beat the Dutchman.
Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, the 2020 and 2021 champions, also advanced, with Price delivering the night’s best performance, averaging 101.61 and dropping only one leg against Sebastian Bialecki.
Clayton was forced to work harder against Krzysztof Ratajski, one of six opening‑night matches that went the distance.
Cameron Menzies and Kevin Doets each missed match darts, falling to Ross Smith and Aspinall respectively.
Both had chances to seal two‑set wins; Menzies missed two tops before Smith swept him 3‑0 in the deciding set, while Doets squandered three match darts—including a wild bullseye miss—and Aspinall ultimately prevailed in a final‑leg decider.
Danny Noppert burst out, taking five straight legs before Niko Springer rallied with three to claim the second set, after which play returned to normal in the third.
Wessel Nijman capped the evening with a routine 2‑0 win over Rob Cross.
Nijman will meet Clayton next, Noppert faces MVG‑vanquisher Joyce, and Price draws Smith, who disclosed he nearly withdrew after a recent hospital stay.
“I endured a week from hell,” Smith said after his opening‑round win. “I came home, caught a virus and dealt with heart issues.”
“I was in hospital on Friday. I thought I’d pull out of Saturday’s event, so just being here is an achievement. Winning as well makes me very happy. He says he’ll return stronger for next year’s Grand Prix.”
Monday’s first‑round results.
First to two sets
- Danny Noppert 2-1 Niko Springer
- Ross Smith 2-1 Cameron Menzies
- Nathan Aspinall 2-1 Kevin Doets
- Jonny Clayton 2-1 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Gerwyn Price 2-0 Sebastian Bialecki
- Michael van Gerwen 1-2 Ryan Joyce
- Luke Littler 1-2 Luke Woodhouse
- Wessel Nijman 2-0 Rob Cross
Tuesday’s first‑round schedule.
First to two sets
- Chris Dobey vs Jermaine Wattimena
- Ryan Searle vs William O’Connor
- Josh Rock vs Niels Zonneveld
- James Wade vs Joe Cullen
- Gary Anderson vs Damon Heta
- Gian van Veen vs Dirk van Duijvenbode
- Luke Humphries vs Dave Chisnall
- Stephen Bunting vs Andrew Gilding
The second round runs Wednesday and Thursday, with quarters on Friday, semis Saturday and the final on Sunday.