Luke Littler began his Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts title defence with a convincing victory over Karel Sedlacek, whilst an emotional Michael Smith made a winning return on the opening day at WV Active Aldersley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Littler, who romped to the title in 2024 against Martin Lukeman before his World Championship triumph little over a month later, made light work of Czechia’s Sedlacek as he raced into a 4-0 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The teenage sensation eventually triumphed 5-1 to open Group E in style and open his challenge to retain the Eric Bristow Trophy in Wolverhampton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I really wanted the whitewash win so I am a little bit disappointed,” admitted Littler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is the second major I have come to defend. It didn’t go well in the Premier League but I am off to a good start here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I want to go back-to-back. If I can win tomorrow night then hopefully I can relax on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Coming back here is full of great memories – with the sponsor being the same – I get all the memories coming back from last year’s win.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith made an emotional return to the TV stage after a tumultuous year on the circuit, beating Nathan Aspinall 5-3 in a repeat of the 2022 final in which he secured the Grand Slam title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The frustrations were clear for Aspinall, however, as he spurned 20 darts at double to allow Smith to pick up the victory in Group A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“To get up there, to win that match is a bit emotional and I’m just glad to get over the line,” said Smith, who has not appeared in a televised event since March’s UK Open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Nathan should have won that. I just hung in there and I got the job done in the end, and I’ll take the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ve always been a fighter, so to be back on stage and winning matches, that’s what means the most to me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
World number one Luke Humphries tops Group A ahead of Smith, however, after he whitewashed American star Alex Spellman 5-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael van Gerwen was pushed the distance by PDC Women’s Series Champion Beau Greaves in a highly-anticipated Group G clash, as the three-time Grand Slam winner secured a narrow 5-4 victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having led 4-2, Greaves pegged Van Gerwen back and missed a dart at tops to secure the match, before the Dutchman sealed victory on double three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“To win the first game is always a relief for every player,” said Van Gerwen. “I was putting pressure on myself but it gives me confidence towards tomorrow night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“In my opinion there’s never been a better woman darts player, but now she needs to push herself. She’s still young but I have to focus on myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s not going to get any easier – Niko Springer is next and then Gary Anderson, but I’m not going to walk away from it and you have to battle.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Springer set up the clash with Van Gerwen after an impressive 5-3 win on debut against Scottish legend Anderson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stephen Bunting’s defeat in Group C was the upset of the evening in Wolverhampton, with the fourth seed losing 5-4 to Filipino star Alexis Toylo in a marathon affair to close the evening on Day One.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke Woodhouse sits at the top of Group C, after he saw off Martin Schindler 5-2 earlier in the night, while Connor Scutt opened his Group E challenge with a 5-4 win over Daryl Gurney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saturday afternoon’s opening session saw shocks aplenty with James Wade, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton suffering defeats in their first group games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fifth seed Wade was leading 3-0 against debutant Stefan Bellmont, but saw the Swiss star rally back to secure a 5-4 victory in Group D – with the left-hander uncharacteristically missing four darts for the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Group D had already been blown wide open earlier in the session, with three-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price suffering a 5-4 defeat at the hands of qualifier Ricky Evans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clayton’s disappointing start came at the hands of debutant Cam Crabtree, who produced an excellent display of finishing, landing 100% of his doubles en route to a 5-1 victory in Group H.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wessel Nijman, who claimed the unwanted record of the highest ever tournament average as he staggeringly lost all three group games last year, picked up a warranted win on the Grand Slam stage as he beat Josh Rock 5-4 in Group F, despite the Northern Irishman averaging 109.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was also a winning start for newly crowned European Champion Gian van Veen, as he survived a brilliant performance from Lisa Ashton – cheered on by the near 2,000 strong crowd – to secure a 5-4 win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elsewhere, there were convincing 5-1 wins for Chris Dobey against youngster Jurjen Van der Velde, and Damon Heta over 2024 finalist Martin Lukeman, whilst Danny Noppert beat Lukas Wenig in a decider after the German spurned seven match darts for victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Group Stage: <\/strong>Danny Noppert 5-4 Lukas Wenig (H); Damon Heta 5-1 Martin Lukeman (B); Chris Dobey 5-1 Jurjen van der Velde (B); Ricky Evans 5-4 Gerwyn Price (D); Stefan Bellmont 5-4 James Wade (D); Cam Crabtree 5-1 Jonny Clayton (H); Wessel Nijman 5-4 Josh Rock (F); Gian van Veen 5-4 Lisa Ashton (F); Connor Scutt 5-4 Daryl Gurney (E); Luke Woodhouse 5-2 Martin Schindler (C); Michael Smith 5-3 Nathan Aspinall (A); Niko Springer 5-3 Gary Anderson (G); Luke Humphries 5-0 Alex Spellman (A); Luke Littler 5-1 Karel Sedlacek (E); Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Beau Greaves (G); Alexis Toylo 5-4 Stephen Bunting (C)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Luke Littler began his Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts title defence with a convincing victory over Karel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5744,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[59],"class_list":["post-5743","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","tag-darts"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t