Littler beats Greaves to start Grand Slam defence

Luke Littler, 19, opened his defence of the Grand Slam of Darts with a 5-2 triumph over Beau Greaves on the opening night in Wolverhampton. He finished the match with an average just under 110 and recorded seven 180s.

The world number one surged ahead to a 3-0 lead before holding off a late challenge from Greaves in the best‑of‑nine contest. Littler remains unbeaten in 15 Grand Slam encounters and hopes to become only the third player, after Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen, to claim three titles in a row.

"I am happy with the win," Littler told Sky Sports. "I said in my pre-match interview I needed to get off to a strong start because Beau started to find it at the end there. Beau was fantastic but I am happy with myself and still 100% here in Wolverhampton. I think it is what I need. Obviously the past three or four majors haven't gone well, but I have been practising and I am glad I have shown it."

Last month, Littler exited in the quarter‑finals of the European Championship and was also defeated in the semi‑finals of the World Youth Championships.

The expanded format features 48 group‑stage matches spread over the first three days of the event.

Luke Humphries, who captured the World Grand Prix title in October, began his campaign by beating Paolo Nebrida, while fellow Englishman Ross Smith suffered a surprise 5-3 loss to youngster Rusty‑Jake Rodriguez. English debutant Henry Coates, 20, pushed Michael van Gerwen to a deciding leg before the three‑time champion secured a 5-4 win. Victories also went to Gerwyn Price, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting and Dutchman Gian van Veen.