Van Gerwen Falls in Leicester: A Shock First-Round Exit
The World Grand Prix in Leicester delivered a remarkable turn of events as six-time champion Michael van Gerwen was eliminated in the first round, losing 2-0 to fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode. It was a performance marked by inconsistency and costly errors from the Dutch icon, who had demonstrated form earlier in the year but could not recapture it on this night. The contest opened with a moment of brilliance as Van Gerwen landed a spectacular 171 checkout in the first leg, a reminder of the talent that has defined his career. Beyond that moment, however, his game frayed at key moments, and Van Duijvenbode capitalized to seal the match in straight sets.
This early exit marked Van Gerwen’s second straight first-round departure at the World Grand Prix, underscoring the depth of this event and the difficulty of navigating the double-start format. While he showed flashes of the ruthless scoring that fans have come to expect, those flashes weren’t sustained, and the result reshapes expectations for the rest of the week as the field reshuffles with a high-stakes, knockout structure.
Littler’s Breakthrough: A High-Quality Thriller En Route to Round Two
In contrast to Van Gerwen’s struggles, Luke Littler produced a performance of poise and emerging authority, racing past Gian van Veen in an 11-minute, straight-set victory that catapulted the young Brit toward the second round. The match was played at a high tempo, with both players averaging over 100 in the opening set, highlighting that this was more than a routine win—it was a statement performance from Littler as he continues to stake his claim on the sport’s biggest stages.
The opening set was a microcosm of the stakes involved: Littler found himself trailing, then surged to win the set 3-2, catching fire at crucial moments to edge ahead. Van Veen, who finished with a remarkable 106.47 average in the tournament’s history-tinged record books, matched Littler’s pace early but could not sustain his momentum when it mattered most. Littler’s 105.58 average across the set demonstrated his growing consistency, and the Briton fed off the energy of the Leicester crowd as he walked through the door into the second round.
The bigger narrative: Littler’s title ambitions align with a rising generation
Speaking after the match, Littler reflected on his performance and the significance of the moment. “I am very happy. I don’t think I could have done a lot better there. I certainly played better than last year,” he told Sky Sports. He also hinted at a fiery approach ahead of the next rounds, noting that the pre-match talk hinted at fire, and he delivered a performance to match. For Littler, this is more than a win; it’s a signal that a new generation is ready to challenge the established order and contend for a World Grand Prix title sooner rather than later.
Other Tuesday Results and What They Mean for the Field
The day’s action also featured a string of competitive results that kept the draw wide open. Gerwyn Price defeated Ryan Searle 2-1, while defending champion Mike de Decker edged Peter Wright 2-1 in a tight affair. The complexion of the event continues to shift as more seeds fall and fresh faces advance, with Luke Woodhouse claiming a 2-1 win over Damon Heta and Daryl Gurney defeating Ross Smith 2-0. The balance of power remains nuanced, with players maneuvering for momentum as the field narrows toward the later rounds.
Wednesday’s Schedule: Key Matches Ahead
As the tournament progresses, a slate of compelling clashes awaits. Cameron Menzies faces Rob Cross, Stephen Bunting meets Danny Noppert, Luke Humphries battles Krzysztof Ratajski, and Joe Cullen takes on Gary Anderson. Fans can expect intensity to rise as players push to close the gap on the leaders and claim a place in the latter stages of the event.
The World Grand Prix continues to deliver drama, with Littler’s ascent offering a fresh narrative line while Van Gerwen reassesses after an uncharacteristic early exit. The remainder of the tournament promises more high-quality darts and the potential for surprising twists as new contenders emerge from the pack.
