Cross dispatches Littler in Leicester (Photo by Simon O’Connor/PDC)
Rob Cross subjected Luke Littler to an opening night exit at the World Grand Prix in Leicester on Monday, as Luke Humphries pulled off a spectacular comeback to stun Stephen Bunting.
Tournament favourite Littler was denied on his double-start debut by a clinical Cross, who converted eight of his ten attempts at a finishing double to come through a high-quality contest.
Cross is yet to advance beyond the Second Round in seven previous World Grand Prix appearances, but he turned on the style against the teenage sensation – who fired in six 180s in defeat.
“My record in this tournament isn’t great, so I’m delighted to get over that winning line,” reflected Cross, who wrapped up victory with an 88 finish on the bull.
“I struggled in the first set, but then I started to find my rhythm and I felt very solid on my own throw, which gives me confidence for the next few days.”
Meanwhile, Humphries produced one of the most astonishing comebacks in World Grand Prix history to kick off his title defence, recovering from a set and two legs behind to dispatch Stephen Bunting in a decider.
Two-time semi-finalist Bunting made a blistering start to the contest, winning the first five legs to leave Humphries staring down the barrel.
Nevertheless, after the St Helens star missed one dart at double 16 for a whitewash win, Humphries came roaring back with a three-leg blitz of his own to level up at one set apiece.
The world number one then powered to victory in the closing stages, winning three of the last four legs to complete a remarkable fightback.
“These are the games you live for,” said Humphries. “Stephen was very unlucky there. He was the better player overall, but I never gave in, and that is a true champion’s attitude.
“As soon as I won the first leg, I knew the opportunity was there, and I worked incredibly hard to get myself back into the game.”
Nathan Aspinall, the 2022 runner-up, marked his big stage return with a 2-1 victory over Ryan Searle, after coming through a last-leg thriller at the Mattioli Arena.
Aspinall, who had been sidelined with a wrist injury in recent month, defied a spirited fightback from Searle to prevail in a gripping final set, sealing his progress with a 12-dart break in the decider.
“I’m just so happy to win after everything I’ve been through over the last few months,” claimed Aspinall, making his first televised appearance since July.
“I had a very tough game against Ryan tonight and that last set proved it, but I’m really happy with the way I performed.”
Ross Smith produced the performance of the opening night in his straight-sets demolition of Gian van Veen, averaging 101.8 to cap off an outstanding display.
Van Veen’s solitary leg came courtesy of a 170 checkout, but Smith was undeterred, sweeping aside the Dutch debutant to register the ninth highest average in World Grand Prix history.
Former champion Jonny Clayton was also one of Monday’s stand-out performers, kicking off his bid for a second double-start title with victory over debutant Ritchie Edhouse.
Clayton converted 130 and 102 checkouts to clinch the opening set with a 102 average, before fending off a spirited rally from Edhouse to make a winning start on his return to Leicester.
German number one Martin Schindler opened his challenge with a straight sets victory over 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan, landing three 180s and converting six of his 12 attempts at finishing doubles.
Schindler was joined in the Last 16 by his compatriot Ricardo Pietreczko – who accounted for two-time finalist Raymond van Barneveld in a deciding set.
Van Barneveld squandered four darts to win the opener, and though he recovered to level the contest, Pietreczko stormed to set three without reply to triumph on his double-start bow.
Ryan Joyce progressed in straight sets on his first World Grand Prix appearance since 2020, winning five straight legs to overcome Josh Rock in the tournament’s curtain-raiser.
World Grand Prix 2024 Day One Results
Monday October 7
First Round
Josh Rock 0-2 Ryan Joyce Brendan Dolan 0-2 Martin Schindler Jonny Clayton 2-0 Ritchie Edhouse Nathan Aspinall 2-1 Ryan Searle Raymond van Barneveld 1-2 Ricardo Pietreczko Luke Humphries 2-1 Stephen Bunting Rob Cross 2-1 Luke Littler Gian van Veen 0-2 Ross Smith
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