What's Happening?
Luke Littler emerged victorious against Gian van Veen in a thrilling first-round match at the 2025 World Grand Prix of Darts. The match was highly anticipated due to van Veen's recent rise into the top 16, making him a seeded player in future tournaments. Littler won the first set in a last-leg decider and dominated the second set, sweeping van Veen 3-0 to win the match 2-0. Despite van Veen's impressive scoring and double-hitting, Littler's performance was superior, finishing with an average of 105.58. Van Veen, however, set a new record for the highest average in a World Grand Prix game with 106.47, surpassing the previous record held by Alan Warriner. This match marked the highest losing average in the tournament's history, highlighting the exceptional level of play from both competitors.
Why It's Important?
The match between Littler and van Veen is significant as it showcases the high level of competition in the World Grand Prix of Darts. Van Veen's record-breaking average, despite losing, underscores the depth of talent in the sport and the potential for dramatic matches. Littler's victory and van Veen's performance could influence future tournament seedings and matchups, as both players continue to rise in the rankings. This event highlights the growing popularity and competitiveness of darts, attracting more viewers and increasing the sport's profile globally.
What's Next?
Littler is set to compete again on Thursday against the winner of the match between Mike De Decker and Peter Wright. As van Veen continues to climb the order of merit, future encounters between these two players are likely to occur in later rounds of major tournaments, adding to the anticipation and excitement for fans. The outcome of Littler's next match will determine his progress in the tournament and could further establish his standing in the darts community.
