Gian van Veen achieved an exceptionally high level on Tuesday in the first round of the World Grand Prix. He recorded the highest average ever at the tournament. Yet he was defeated: Luke Littler beat the Dutchman 2-0 in sets.
Van Veen had won his three previous encounters with Littler, each in a format with legs. However, the World Grand Prix in Leicester has a different system: it is played in sets.
In the first set, the 23-year-old Van Veen kept pace impressively, until the eighteen-year-old Littler made the difference with a brilliant final leg. In the second set, Littler then gave him no more chances, despite the formidable level that Van Veen continued to achieve.
Van Veen even made history with the highest average ever at the World Grand Prix, the only tournament where a leg must be opened with a double. He reached 106.47 with three darts.
That is just slightly higher than the Englishman Alan Warriner in 2001 against compatriot Andy Jenkins. Warriner recorded an average of 106.45 at the time. The only difference is that Warriner ‘simply’ won 2-0.
Littler advances to the next round for the first time at World Grand Prix
Littler himself recorded an average of 105.58. It is the first time for the Englishman that he has survived a round at the World Grand Prix. Last year, the single world champion lost directly to Rob Cross in the first round.
The field of participants in the World Grand Prix consists of the top sixteen of the world ranking and the sixteen best players of this season. The tournament lasts until Sunday.