Littler Launches Grand Slam Title Defence as Smith Returns Victorious in Emotional Opening Day

Luke Littler began the defence of his Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts crown in emphatic fashion on Saturday, producing a commanding 5–1 victory over Czech thrower Karel Sedlacek to open Group E in Wolverhampton.

The teenage World Champion, who lifted the Eric Bristow Trophy in 2024 after defeating Martin Lukeman in the final, wasted no time asserting his dominance at WV Active Aldersley. He raced into a 4–0 lead with heavy scoring and clinical finishing before sealing a comfortable opening win.

“I really wanted the whitewash win so I am a little bit disappointed,” Littler admitted afterwards. “This is the second major I have come to defend. It didn’t go well in the Premier League but I am off to a good start here. I want to go back-to-back. If I can win tomorrow night then hopefully I can relax on Tuesday. Coming back here is full of great memories – with the sponsor being the same – I get all the memories coming back from last year’s win.”

While Littler began with confidence, another former champion stole many of the headlines. Michael Smith made an emotional return to the televised stage following a difficult year off the oche, defeating Nathan Aspinall 5–3 in a repeat of their 2022 Grand Slam final.

Aspinall created plenty of opportunities but missed 20 darts at double, allowing Smith to grind out a morale-boosting victory in Group A. “To get up there, to win that match is a bit emotional and I’m just glad to get over the line,” Smith said. “Nathan should have won that. I just hung in there and I got the job done in the end, and I’ll take the win. I’ve always been a fighter, so to be back on stage and winning matches, that’s what means the most to me.”

World number one Luke Humphries joined Smith at the top of Group A after a clinical 5–0 whitewash of American Alex Spellman. Humphries showed no mercy, finishing efficiently to start his campaign in ideal fashion.

Elsewhere, three-time Grand Slam champion Michael van Gerwen came through a thrilling 5–4 battle with PDC Women’s Series Champion Beau Greaves in Group G. The Dutchman was forced all the way after Greaves fought back from 4–2 down and even missed a dart at tops for a famous win before Van Gerwen edged home on double three.

“To win the first game is always a relief for every player,” said Van Gerwen. “I was putting pressure on myself but it gives me confidence towards tomorrow night. In my opinion there’s never been a better woman darts player, but now she needs to push herself. She’s still young but I have to focus on myself. It’s not going to get any easier – Niko Springer is next and then Gary Anderson, but I’m not going to walk away from it and you have to battle.”

Springer booked that encounter by winning his own Group G debut 5–3 against Anderson, delighting the crowd with a composed display against the Scottish legend.

The evening session ended with the upset of the day as fourth seed Stephen Bunting suffered a 5–4 loss to Filipino newcomer Alexis Toylo in Group C. Luke Woodhouse leads that group after a 5–2 success over Martin Schindler earlier in the night, while Connor Scutt began Group E with a narrow 5–4 victory against Daryl Gurney.

The afternoon session had already produced major surprises. James Wade, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton all stumbled in their openers. Fifth seed Wade appeared in total control at 3–0 up against debutant Stefan Bellmont, but the Swiss underdog rallied back to win 5–4, punishing four missed match darts. Group D was thrown wide open earlier when three-time champion Price fell 5–4 to qualifier Ricky Evans, who held his nerve in the deciding leg.

Clayton also endured a nightmare start, beaten 5–1 by debutant Cam Crabtree, who produced a flawless display on the outer ring by landing every dart at double.

Elsewhere, Wessel Nijman finally enjoyed success on the Grand Slam stage after his torrid 2024 campaign, edging Josh Rock 5–4 in Group F despite Rock averaging 109. Newly crowned European Champion Gian van Veen also began with a win, overcoming Lisa Ashton 5–4 in a tight match that had the crowd on its feet.

There were convincing 5–1 victories for Chris Dobey over Jurjen Van der Velde and Damon Heta over last year’s runner-up Martin Lukeman, while Danny Noppert scraped past Lukas Wenig 5–4 after the German missed seven match darts.

The tournament continues Sunday with a double session in Wolverhampton. Saturday’s losing players will meet to keep their qualification hopes alive, while the winners from each group will face each other in the battle to reach the knockout stages.

Littler Launches Grand Slam Title Defence as Smith Returns Victorious in Emotional Opening Day

2025 Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts

Saturday November 8

Afternoon Session (1300-1700 GMT)

Group Stage x8 – Groups B-D-F-H First Games

Danny Noppert 5-4 Lukas Wenig (H)

Damon Heta 5-1 Martin Lukeman (B)

Chris Dobey 5-1 Jurjen van der Velde (B)

Ricky Evans 5-4 Gerwyn Price (D)

Stefan Bellmont 5-4 James Wade (D)

Cam Crabtree 5-1 Jonny Clayton (H)

Wessel Nijman 5-4 Josh Rock (F)

Gian van Veen 5-4 Lisa Ashton (F)

Evening Session (1900-2300 GMT)

Group Stage x8 – Groups A-C-E-G First Games

Connor Scutt 5-4 Daryl Gurney (E)

Luke Woodhouse 5-2 Martin Schindler (C)

Michael Smith 5-3 Nathan Aspinall (A)

Niko Springer 5-3 Gary Anderson (G)

Luke Humphries 5-0 Alex Spellman (A)

Luke Littler 5-1 Karel Sedlacek (E)

Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Beau Greaves (G)

Alexis Toylo 5-4 Stephen Bunting (C)

Sunday November 9

Afternoon Session (1300 GMT)

Group Stage x8 – Groups B-D-F-H Second Matches

Martin Lukeman v Jurjen van der Velde (B)

Jonny Clayton v Lukas Wenig (H)

Josh Rock v Lisa Ashton (F)

James Wade v Gerwyn Price (D)

Ricky Evans v Stefan Bellmont (D)

Danny Noppert v Cam Crabtree (H)

Gian van Veen v Wessel Nijman (F)

Chris Dobey v Damon Heta (B)

Evening Session (1930 GMT)

Group Stage x8 – Groups A-C-E-G Second Matches

Nathan Aspinall v Alex Spellman (A

Daryl Gurney v Karel Sedlacek (E)

Stephen Bunting v Martin Schindler (C)

Gary Anderson v Beau Greaves (G)

Luke Littler v Connor Scutt (E)

Luke Humphries v Michael Smith (A)

Michael van Gerwen v Niko Springer (G)

Luke Woodhouse v Alexis Toylo (C)