Not even an historic performance from Gian van Veen could stop Luke Littler.
‘The Nuke’ progressed to the second round of this year’s World Grand Prix with a 2-0 win over Van Veen.
Despite Littler dispatching his rival in just ten minutes and 30 seconds, it was far from one-way traffic.
How Littler’s match against Van Veen unfolded
Van Veen looked to be in fine fettle as he raced out to a 2-1 lead in the first set.
However, Littler roared back and rattled off two legs on the bounce to take out the first set.
Littler wrapped it up with an impressive checkout of 86 and let out an almighty roar of pure elation mixed with a tinge of relief.
“That is one of the best set of darts you will ever see,” Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke said.
If the first set was a demonstration of Littler’s mental strength, then the second showcased his brute strength on the board once he has the wind in his sails.
The 18-year-old showed he was in no mood to hang about on the oche any more than he needed to as he rattled off two-straight 12-dart legs to win.
Victory was sealed with a highly impressive checkout of 144.
After Littler pinned double 12 for the win, the camera panned to Van Veen.
Having just been brushed aside without getting much of a chance to mount any sort of comeback in the second set, Van Veen simply smiled and shook his head in disbelief before he congratulated Littler on a marvellous performance.
Van Veen out-threw Littler four to 1 when it came to 180s, but ‘The Nuke’ still proved too goodGettyHow did Gian van Veen make darts history?
What made the defeat all the more perplexing for Van Veen was the fact he recorded a three-dart average of 106.47, the highest in World Grand Prix history.
Littler’s average wasn’t far behind, as he finished with 105.58.
However, the difference-maker was in the checkout department.
Despite his superior average, Van Veen had the chance to secure a finish just three times across the entire match and converted two of those.
It paled in comparison to Littler, who had ten checkout opportunities and completed six of them.
Littler reacts to his first-ever World Grand Prix win
Littler’s win over Van Veen was his first at the World Grand Prix having been dumped out in the opening round at last year’s tournament by Rob Cross.
Despite expressing his dislike of the World Grand Prix’s unique double in, double out rule, Littler looked at home in LeicesterGettyWith the first hurdle out of the way, a fired-up Littler was already dreaming big about just how deep he can go at the event in Leicester.
“I am very happy,” Littler said.
“I don’t think I could have done a lot better there. I certainly played better than last year.
“I said I would be fiery in my pre-match interview and I showed a bit of that.
“I missed a few doubles starting and finishing but overall it was a good performance and Gian played his part in a brilliant game.
“We push each other every time, play our best darts against each other.
“Hopefully this is my next major. First round done, on to the next one.”
Littler awaits either two-time world champion Peter Wright or last year’s World Grand Prix winner Mike De Decker in the second round.
Hence then, the article about luke littler wins first ever grand prix match despite rival breaking stunning record against him was published today ( ) and is available on talksport ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Luke Littler wins first ever Grand Prix match despite rival breaking stunning record against him )
Also on site :