Luke Littler in first-round World Grand Prix defeat despite favourite tag
Luke Littler has crashed out of the World Grand Prix in the first round after a brilliant display from Rob Cross.
The 17-year-old was made the bookies' favourite to win the competition before a dart had been thrown.
But Littler could not get the best of Cross, who was clinical with his finishing when his opponent was not.
The Voltage shocked the crowd at Leicester by landing a 2-1 victory at the World Grand Prix on an electric day where Nathan Aspinall and Luke Humphries put on sensational shows themselves to make it through to the next round.
Rob Cross delivered a finishing lesson to Luke Littler
Sky Sports
But the match of the round was undoubtedly Littler's face-off against former world champion Cross after a dramatic final leg.
When the Nuke rattled in a late 134 to set up 87, he missed double seven to take the match to a deciding leg.
Cross was not so merciful, as he took 88 out with a jaw-dropping bullseye with his last dart to upset the odds.
Littler could not watch and closed his eyes but the reaction of the crowd told him everything he needed to know as he smiled to himself before congratulating his rival.
A leg before, Cross scored hit 139, 134 then a 140 to leave 32 - which he took with aplomb.
It was the story of the match, as though Littler often flew out of the traps with several 160s, very rarely did he go on to win the resulting leg.
Cross bided his time before dispatching Littler with a lesson on how to finish, gobbling up doubles with professional ease.
Luke Littler has crashed out of the World Grand Prix
Sky Sports
In the first set, Cross averaged 87 while Littler was averaging over 100.
However, Cross' 60 per cent double success compared to his teenage opponent's 29 per cent revealed the difference.
It has been a brilliant year for Littler, who made himself a household name after his stunning run in the World Championship final when he reached the final.
Rob Cross seals it with a bull 🎯
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) October 7, 2024
👋 Luke Littler's Grand Prix debut ends in a 1st Round defeat pic.twitter.com/xus6m6Qz9F
He might have lost to Humphries but he captured the hearts of a nation, just 16 at the time, before going on to win the Premier League in his debut campaign.
Victory at the World Grand Prix is usually a good pre-cursor for the World Championship later on, with Humphries winning both last year.