Luke Littler produced a sensational display to defeat Gian van Veen and set up a showdown against reigning champion Mike De Decker on Day Two of the BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix.
Littler had lost his previous three meetings against Van Veen, but halted that streak in a record-breaking contest at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on Tuesday.
Van Veen registered the highest average in World Grand Prix history, usurping Alan Warriner-Little’s 24-year-long record with an average of 106.47.
However, the World Youth Champion was only afforded two legs by a merciless Littler, who wrapped up a remarkable 2-0 victory with a match-winning 144 outshot.
“We definitely bring the best out of each other,” reflected Littler, who averaged north of 105 himself.
“Gian played his part in a brilliant game, but to get my first win on this stage feels amazing.
“Anything can happen in double-start, so hopefully I can perform like I did tonight in round two. I’ll be ready!”
Littler will now take on De Decker in a blockbuster tussle on Thursday, after the Belgian number one kicked off his title defence with a comeback win against 2018 runner-up Peter Wright.
The Scot started strongly to clinch the opening stanza against throw, only for De Decker to turn the tide with a sublime 152 checkout midway through set two – paving the way for an impressive fightback.
“It was a shaky start, but I played well in the final two sets,” reflected De Decker, who is aiming to become the third player in World Grand Prix history to retain the double-start crown.
“I was really nervous in the first set, because I’ve never had the experience of defending a title before, but it was also a nice feeling. I had goosebumps coming back here!”
Wright was one of four seeds to exit on Day Two, with six-time champion Michael van Gerwen also suffering an early exit against his fellow countryman Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Van Duijvenbode – a World Grand Prix runner-up in 2020 – was threatening a whitewash win at one stage, before condemning Van Gerwen to a second straight opening round defeat in the East Midlands.
Van Duijvenbode’s next assignment will be a meeting with Daryl Gurney, after the 2017 champion overcame former European Champion Ross Smith for the loss of a solitary leg.
Gerwyn Price and Josh Rock will renew their rivalry in a captivating clash on Thursday, after kicking off their title challenges with wins over Ryan Searle and Ryan Joyce respectively.
2020 champion Price defied a rip-roaring start from Searle to prevail in a deciding-set thriller, converting 94, 104 and 138 combinations to sink the Somerset star, who landed five maximums in defeat.
Rock also overturned an early deficit to celebrate his maiden victory on the World Grand Prix stage, wrapping up proceedings with a 108 finish in a dramatic final leg.
Elsewhere, 2021 champion Jonny Clayton made a winning start on his double-start return, halting his six-match losing run against Andrew Gilding to set up a meeting with Luke Woodhouse in round two.
Woodhouse produced an extraordinary recovery to win through a last-leg shoot-out against Damon Heta – extending the Australian’s winless record on the World Grand Prix stage to five matches.
Having missed seven darts at a starting double in the decider, Woodhouse launched a stunning late revival, crashing in back-to-back 180s and converting a clinical 90 kill to seal his progress.
Wednesday’s action will see Round Two get underway at the Mattioli Arena, as world number one Luke Humphries takes on Poland’s number one Krzysztof Ratajski for a place in the quarter-finals.
Fourth seed Stephen Bunting faces 2021 semi-finalist Danny Noppert, while former World Champions Gary Anderson and Rob Cross lock horns with Joe Cullen and Cameron Menzies respectively.
The BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
Click here for match stats & results.
2025 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix
Tuesday October 7
8x Round One matches
Luke Woodhouse 2-1 Damon Heta (3-0, 0-3, 3-2)
Daryl Gurney 2-0 Ross Smith (3-0, 3-1)
Jonny Clayton 2-0 Andrew Gilding (3-1, 3-2)
Gerwyn Price 2-1 Ryan Searle (0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
Luke Littler 2-0 Gian van Veen (3-2, 3-0)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-0 Michael van Gerwen (3-0, 3-2)
Mike De Decker 2-1 Peter Wright (1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Josh Rock 2-1 Ryan Joyce (1-3, 3-1, 3-2)
Wednesday October 8 (1900 BST)
4x Round Two matches
Cameron Menzies v Rob Cross
Stephen Bunting v Danny Noppert
Luke Humphries v Krzysztof Ratajski
Joe Cullen v Gary Anderson
Thursday October 9 (1900 BST)
4x Round Two matches
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Daryl Gurney
Jonny Clayton v Luke Woodhouse
Luke Littler v Mike De Decker
Gerwyn Price v Josh Rock
Best of Five Sets