Littler opens bid for third Grand Slam crown with stunning Greaves win

Luke Littler started his pursuit of a Grand Slam of Darts hat-trick with a commanding 5-2 victory against Beau Greaves in Wolverhampton on Saturday night.

In a Group A blockbuster, ‘The Nuke’ struck seven maximums and a 109.97 average to defeat the Women’s Matchplay champion.

Littler has yet to taste defeat in 15 Grand Slam matches, as he bids to join Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen by becoming the third player to win three successive titles in the West Midlands.

Greaves won the pair’s previous meeting in last year’s World Youth Championship semi-finals, but the back-to-back world champion had revenge on his mind and came out firing on all cylinders.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Littler said: “I’m happy with the win. I needed to get off to a strong start because Beau started to find it at the end.

“I just had to finish how I started. I was very good at the scoring, but 29 per cent on the doubles needs to improve.

“Beau was fantastic, but I’m happy with myself and I’m still 100 per cent here in Wolverhampton.”

The 19-year-old from Warrington is now aiming to find his Alexandra Palace form, adding: “I love it here. I remember my first year; last year was the same, and this year is the same.

“If I am performing like this, then I’m going to be happy.

“It’s what I need. The last three or four majors haven’t gone well, but I’ve been practising, and I’m glad I’ve shown it.

“It’s perfect timing. I’m not going to Minehead for the Players Championship, this is the last major before the World Championship.

“After this, there are a few exhibitions, and hopefully it works out.”

Rusty-Jake Rodriguez caused a seismic shock to defeat two-time major winner Ross Smith 5-3 and pick up just a third ranking win of the entire season.

Smith will face Gabriel Clemens in a must-win clash on Sunday, while Austrian Rodriguez will face the German on Tuesday.

In a match featuring nine maximums and finishes of 121 and 156, 20-year-old debutant Henry Coates made himself at home on the big stage, but in the end it was three-time champion Van Gerwen who came out on top in a final-leg thriller after dodging two match darts.

Gerwyn Price defied a furious fightback from Joe Hunt to open his bid for a fourth Grand Slam of Darts crown.
Hunt produced a moment of magic by reeling in ‘The Big Fish’ as he won three legs on the spin from 4-0 down before ‘The Iceman’ stumbled over the finishing line.

James Wade, who is making his record-equalling 19th Grand Slam appearance alongside Dutch superstar Van Gerwen, averaged 104 to open Group K with a 5-1 victory over Cam Crabtree.

The left-hander – a three-time runner-up at this event and aiming to lift the coveted Eric Bristow Trophy for the first time – started his campaign with an 11-darter and a 104 finish along the way.

Crabtree landed a spectacular 151 finish, but to no avail as Wade pinned a 110 checkout to seal victory.

Luke Humphries – the 2023 champion – fired in an 11-darter to defeat PDC Asian Champion Paolo Nebrida with a 105.7 average.

‘Cool Hand’ scooped the World Grand Prix title last month and also won Players Championship 33 earlier this month.

Aspinall sends out warning as Clayton is shocked

Nathan Aspinall averaged an incredible 111.68 to dispatch Maik Kuivenhoven 5-1 in a remarkable Grand Slam of Darts clash in which ‘The Asp’ missed a nine-dart attempt – going seven darts into the perfect leg.

Aspinall landed 149 and 120 checkouts on the way to a thumping win as he destroyed his Dutch opponent and sent out a warning to the rest of the field.

Sky Sports Darts’ Mark Webster said: “Just an incredible performance wasn’t it and he was just setting his stall out.

“Getting through the group is paramount but if you can do it performing well, you’re going to take confidence from it.

“He’s still got work to do; he needs to beat Karel Sedlacek to confirm his spot in the next round but that was a brilliant display.

“He looked focused, he looked composed, he even had a dart to win the opening leg as well he went seven into a perfect leg.

“Nathan Aspinall is on fire, and he was saying the right things before the game as well, he was confident that he was going to win this game and he did it in such style.”

Swedish star Anton Ostlund marked his Wolverhampton debut with a last-leg victory over fifth seed Jonny Clayton.

He will take on Rob Cross on Monday night, while Clayton will face ‘Voltage’ in a must-win match on Sunday.

Showman Tommy Morris stayed calm and composed as he put on a destructive display to smash Josh Rock 5-2.

The part-time gardener made the most of his TV debut with a brilliant walk-on and then pinned a 121 en route to victory in Wolverhampton.

He will take on Kevin Doets on Monday evening, while Rock will face the Dutchman on Sunday in a must-win game.

Morris, who became just the sixth non-Tour Card holder to win a ranking title at Players Championship 34 earlier this month, said: “I was very nervous, but I take everything in my stride. I’m enjoying my progress. Even if I lose, I’m losing graciously.”

Webster said: “From the minute he [Tommy] walked on to the first three darts of the match he just enjoyed himself; it was a composed display.

“It was great to watch as well, the pace he played at, maybe Josh got caught up in that, but Tommy was the better player and deserved to win.”

Stephen Bunting overcame some late double trouble to deny Raymond Smith 5-4 in a high-quality affair, while world championship semi-finalist Ryan Searle came from behind to scrape past debutant Charlie Manby 5-4.

Dutch ace Wessel Nijman and Castleford star Tom Sykes opened with wins, while Jermaine Wattimena started his campaign with a dominant 5-2 victory against Lisa Ashton.

Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.