Woodhouse eliminates defending champion Littler at World Grand Prix

Luke Woodhouse beat defending champion Luke Littler 2-1 on the opening night of the World Grand Prix in Leicester, ending the world number one’s title defence in the first round. Woodhouse recovered after losing the opening set and won the final two to complete the upset. Littler had taken the first set 3-1, but Woodhouse responded by edging the second set and forcing a decider. He then moved ahead in the final set and held off Littler’s attempt to rally, closing out the match with a finish on double 12, according to match accounts. The contest used the tournament’s double-in, double-out format. The defeat ended Littler’s bid to retain the title he won last year. It was also reported as his first first-round loss in a premier televised competition in two years. One account said he averaged 82.41, but detailed performance statistics were not consistently reported. Woodhouse’s reported next opponent is Nathan Aspinall in the second round. The sources did not give a date for that match. Woodhouse, ranked 18th in the world in one account, had been facing Littler, the world number one and a two-time world champion. Littler was among two major names to exit on the opening night.