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Playing for the first time since being booed in Amsterdam, the world No 1 was far from his best in a 2-1 first-round defeat in Leicester
Photograph: Godfrey Pitt/Action Plus/ShutterstockPhotograph: Godfrey Pitt/Action Plus/ShutterstockLittler’s title defence ends in 2-1 first-round lossLuke Littler suffered a 2-1 defeat to Luke Woodhouse on his return to the oche as the defence of his World Grand Prix title ended at the first hurdle.
The world No 1 was aiming to bounce back from his quarter-final exit to Jonny Clayton in the World Series of Darts in Amsterdam a week ago. Littler threatened to boycott tournaments in the Netherlandsduring the event, and missed the latest Players Championship events in Den Bosch.
Playing in front of a more supportive crowd in Leicester on Monday, Littler raced out of the blocks in the double-in, double-out format, taking the opening leg while Woodhouse was still in the 300s.
“The Nuke” then hit a double 15 to complete a 106 checkout as he won the first set 3-1 despite looking far from his best. Woodhouse took the lead for the first time in the second set, the world No 18 from Worcestershire roaring 2-1 ahead in legs. Even when Littler levelled at 2-2, Woodhouse held his nerve on a double 16 in the decider to set up a deciding set.
Photograph: Alex Young/Every Second Media/Shutterstock The underdog came on strong in the final set, moving 2-0 ahead and then holding off a Littler fightback to complete a major upset. Woodhouse sealed victory on double 12, earning warm congratulations from Littler, who averaged 82.41 to his opponent’s 82.51.
Woodhouse will playThe 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 for rest of the tournament. ”losing 2-0 to the 12th seed,’s bid for a seventh World Grand Prix crown also ended on the opening night as he threw away a one-set lead, losing 2-1 tocrushed Polish debutant Sebastian Bialecki 2-0, averaging 101.61 and nailing three 180s as the Welshman launched his bid to win a title he last claimed in 2020.
Price will facein the last 16 after he defeated Cameron Menzies, while Clayton and Danny Noppert also advanced.
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