Luke Littler Advances as Belgian Open Shocks with Top Seeds' Early Exits

Luke Littler starts strong at the Belgian Open, while top seeds including Michael van Gerwen face unexpected defeats.

Luke Littler began his title defense at the Belgian Open with a commanding second-round victory, showcasing his prowess on the doubles with a 42.9% checkout rate to secure a 6-3 win against Ryan Searle. However, the tournament was not without its surprises, as four of the top 10 seeds were eliminated early, including world number one Luke Humphries and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.

Van Gerwen's defeat was particularly shocking, as he was bested 6-4 by unranked Croatian qualifier Boris Krcmar. Humphries, despite a nine-dart finish in the Premier League, was upset 6-4 by local favorite Mike de Decker, who averaged an impressive 100.45.

Other notable matches saw Ross Smith dominate Rob Cross with a 6-2 victory, and Nathan Aspinall narrowly losing 6-5 to Ritchie Edhouse. The tournament continues with Littler facing Luke Woodhouse in the third round, while Gerwyn Price and Damon Heta prepare for their next matches after strong performances.

The Belgian Open concludes on Sunday, promising more thrilling darts action as the remaining players vie for the title.

What to Read Next

Northern Ireland's Darts Triumph: Gurney and Rock's World Cup Victory Sparks Growth
Darts

Northern Ireland's Darts Triumph: Gurney and Rock's World Cup Victory Sparks Growth

Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock's World Cup of Darts win for Northern Ireland aims to inspire and grow the sport locally.

Stunning Upsets at US Darts Masters: Cross and Bunting Fall in Opening Night Thriller
Darts

Stunning Upsets at US Darts Masters: Cross and Bunting Fall in Opening Night Thriller

The US Darts Masters kicked off with shocking upsets as defending champion Rob Cross and top seed Stephen Bunting were eliminated in the opening night.

Wales Poised to Dominate the 2025 World Cup of Darts with Dynamic Duo
Darts

Wales Poised to Dominate the 2025 World Cup of Darts with Dynamic Duo

Wales' top darts players, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, are set to make a significant impact at the 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt.

Chris Dobey Secures Thrilling Victory at the 17th Players Championship 2025
Darts

Chris Dobey Secures Thrilling Victory at the 17th Players Championship 2025

Chris Dobey wins a nail-biting final at the 17th Players Championship 2025, showcasing exceptional skill and precision in darts.

Expanded World Darts Championship 2025-26: A New Era for Women in Darts
Darts

Expanded World Darts Championship 2025-26: A New Era for Women in Darts

The 2025-26 World Darts Championship introduces a new qualifying structure, ensuring at least four women compete, marking a significant step for gender equality in the sport.

Stephen Bunting Triumphs in 2025 Players Championship: A Dazzling Victory
Darts

Stephen Bunting Triumphs in 2025 Players Championship: A Dazzling Victory

Stephen Bunting clinches his first Players Championship title since 2021 with a stellar performance against Jermaine Wattimena in Leicester.

Nathan Aspinall Secures Premier League Play-Offs as Luke Littler Shatters Records in Darts Showdown
Darts

Nathan Aspinall Secures Premier League Play-Offs as Luke Littler Shatters Records in Darts Showdown

Nathan Aspinall clinches the final Premier League play-off spot while Luke Littler dominates with record-breaking performances in Sheffield.

Luke Humphries Claims Premier League Darts Title in Thrilling Final Against Luke Littler
Darts

Luke Humphries Claims Premier League Darts Title in Thrilling Final Against Luke Littler

Luke Humphries secures his first Premier League Darts title with a thrilling 11-8 victory over Luke Littler at the O2 Arena, completing the triple crown.

Luke Littler Faces Vehicle Vandalism During Darts Exhibition in Norwich
Darts

Luke Littler Faces Vehicle Vandalism During Darts Exhibition in Norwich

World champion darts player Luke Littler's van was vandalized during an exhibition match in Norwich, sparking outrage and police investigation.

Wright Predicts Humphries and Littler Won't Click at Darts World Cup
Darts

Wright Predicts Humphries and Littler Won't Click at Darts World Cup

Peter Wright predicts Luke Humphries and Luke Littler won't click at the Darts World Cup, despite being favorites. Wright and Gary Anderson aim to surprise.

Wales and Northern Ireland Advance to World Cup of Darts Semi-Finals
Darts

Wales and Northern Ireland Advance to World Cup of Darts Semi-Finals

Wales and Northern Ireland secure their spots in the World Cup of Darts semi-finals with impressive quarter-final victories in Frankfurt.

Germany Stuns England in Thrilling World Cup of Darts Clash
Darts

Germany Stuns England in Thrilling World Cup of Darts Clash

Germany shocks England in the World Cup of Darts, advancing to the quarter-finals with an impressive 8-4 victory in Frankfurt.

Thrilling Darts Showdown: Aspinall Triumphs in Aberdeen as Littler Secures Premier League Top Spot
Darts

Thrilling Darts Showdown: Aspinall Triumphs in Aberdeen as Littler Secures Premier League Top Spot

Nathan Aspinall clinches victory in Aberdeen, edging closer to the play-offs, while Luke Littler guarantees top spot in the Premier League Darts.

2025 Premier League Darts Final: Schedule, Prize Money, and Key Players to Watch
Darts

2025 Premier League Darts Final: Schedule, Prize Money, and Key Players to Watch

Get all the details about the 2025 Premier League Darts final, including the schedule, prize money, and the key players to watch in this thrilling showdown.

World Cup of Darts 2025: Format, Teams, and Prize Money Explained
Darts

World Cup of Darts 2025: Format, Teams, and Prize Money Explained

Discover the format, participating teams, and prize money for the 2025 World Cup of Darts, featuring Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.