World Grand Prix darts: Luke Littler exhibits he can ‘do some injury’ with spectacular begin to double-start TV main in Leicester

Luke Littler believes he can ‘do some injury’ on the Boyle Sports activities World Grand Prix after establishing a second-round showdown with defending champion Mike De Decker in Leicester.

Littler produced a sensational show to beat world youth champion Gian van Veen 2-0 in his match opener on the Mattioli Area, the place he fired a 105.58 common and two ton-plus finishes throughout a record-breaking contest.

Van Veen registered the best common in World Grand Prix historical past – together with his 106.47 breaking the report held by Alan Warriner-Little since 2001 – however may solely handle two legs as Littler raced into the final 16.

“We positively deliver one of the best out of one another,” Littler stated about Van Veen, who had crushed him of their earlier three conferences. “Gian performed his half in an excellent sport, however to get my first win on this stage feels wonderful.

“Something can occur in double-start, so hopefully I can carry out like I did tonight [Tuesday] in spherical two. I will be prepared!”

Littler’s victory averted a repeat of final 12 months’s first-round exit on debut, with the world No 2 firing a 151 end throughout a decent opening set earlier than closing out a straight-sets win with a sensational 144 checkout.

The 18-year-old additionally suffered a first-round loss within the 2024 Betfred World Matchplay earlier than profitable the Phil Taylor Trophy in Blackpool a 12 months later, with Littler hoping historical past can repeat itself as he chases one other TV title.

“I can positively do some injury,” Littler insisted. “Clearly that efficiency exhibits it, however it’s nonetheless solely spherical one. We have nonetheless received loads of time to go to be considering of lifting the trophy. Simply take it sport by sport.

“It [World Grand Prix] is among the ones that is lacking and it is positively not the simplest. Clearly the way in which I’ve performed there, hopefully I can come again in just a few days and get the job finished once more.”

On eager to bounce again from final 12 months’s early defeat, Littler defined: “Clearly you have been right here earlier than, it is not been one of the best and also you wish to come and show it.

“Identical to the [World] Matchplay – went out final 12 months in spherical one, this 12 months received it. So the identical may occur – I am not saying something although!”

De Decker hopes for much less from Littler

Littler will now tackle De Decker on Thursday, after the Belgian opened his title defence with a comeback victory towards 2018 runner-up and two-time world champion Peter “Snakebite” Wright.

“I hope he [Littler] does not do it towards me!” De Decker informed reporters after his 2-1 win. “It does not matter who he does it towards, it is arduous to beat.”

Wright received the opening set towards De Decker, who responded by crashing in a 152 end in the course of the second earlier than finishing a powerful fightback by breaking the Scot throughout a final-set decider.

“It was a shaky begin, however I performed effectively within the ultimate two units,” stated De Decker, bidding to change into the third participant in World Grand Prix historical past to retain the double-start crown.

“I used to be actually nervous within the first set, as a result of I’ve by no means had the expertise of defending a title earlier than, however it was additionally a pleasant feeling. I had goosebumps coming again right here!”

Littler takes plaudits after spectacular begin

Sky Sports activities’ Wayne Mardle:

“What he did rather well was when he went beneath on the tops, he seldom switched to the double 10. He stayed there and really pressured one into the tops, then added a treble or a single – that is getting away.

“He simply saved getting away with the tops. He hit 11 two or three-treble visits, so the scoring – as soon as he received away – was ridiculous, totally ridiculous.

“That getting in always was the little drip, drip that grinds somebody down ultimately. Over the longer format, if he can preserve doing that, he’ll take some stopping.”

Sky Sports activities’ John Half:

“It was an exquisite contest and an excellent efficiency from Littler. Luke had each reply for Van Veen and it was only a deal with to observe. He simply seemingly at will, at any time when he wanted one thing, he received it.

“The main target was unbelievable, particularly towards an opponent that had the higher of him the previous couple of occasions. You’d assume there could also be some trepidation in there, however there wasn’t.

“To see him get up and face the standard he confronted, with out actually blinking and taking each probability he may, was unbelievable and what you wish to see from a rising begin. He is world No 2 and making an attempt to get to No 1 – I am positive Luke Humphries shall be making an attempt to maintain him down!”

Thursday’s second-round fixtures (Finest of 5 units)

Dirk van Duijvenbode vs Daryl Gurney
Jonny Clayton vs Luke Woodhouse
Luke Littler vs Mike De Decker
Gerwyn Value vs Josh Rock

Watch the Boyle Sports activities World Grand Prix all through the week stay on Sky Sports activities+ and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion, with protection on daily basis as much as and together with the ultimate on Sunday. Stream darts, soccer, golf, cricket and extra contract-free with NOW.