Luke Littler believes he can “do some damage” at the Boyle Sports World Grand Prix after Leicester’s second round showdown with defending champion Mike Dedecker.

Littler put on a brilliant performance to defeat World Youth Championship champion Gian van Veen 2-0 In the tournament opener at the Mattioli Arena, he averaged 105.58 and hit over two tons in a record-breaking match.

Van Veen had the highest average score in World Grand Prix history – his 106.47 points broke Alan Wariner-Little’s record which had stood since 2001 – but he could only complete two races as Little stormed into the last 16.

“We definitely bring out the best in each other,” Littler said of Van Veen, who had beaten him in the previous three games. “Gian played his part in a great game but it feels great to get my first win on this stage.

“Anything can happen in a double, so hopefully I can perform like I did in the second round tonight (Tuesday). I’ll be ready!”

Littler’s victory avoided a repeat of last year’s first-round exit, with the world No. 2 shooting 151 in a tense opening set before posting a stunning 144 to win in straight sets.

The 18-year-old also lost in the first round of the 2024 Betfred Matchplay Championship and won the Phil Taylor Cup in Blackpool a year later, with Littler hoping history can repeat itself as he chases another TV title.

“I can definitely do some damage,” Littler insisted. “Obviously, the performances show it, but it’s still only the first round. We still have plenty of time to think about lifting the trophy. Take it one game at a time.”

“It (the World Grand Prix) is one of the missing events and definitely not the easiest. Obviously, the way I played there, hopefully I can come back in a few days and get the job done again.”

Speaking about wanting to bounce back from last year’s loss, Littler explained: “Obviously you’ve been here before and it wasn’t the best and you want to come and prove it.

“It’s like the (World) Match Play – last year we were out in the first round and this year we won. So the same thing could happen – but I didn’t say anything!”

Dedecker wishes Littler was less

Littler will face Dedecker on Thursday, with the Belgian opening his title defense with a comeback victory over 2018 runner-up and two-time world champion Peter “Snakebite” Wright.

“I hope he (Littler) doesn’t do this to me!” Dedecker told reporters after the 2-1 win. “No matter who he plays, he’s going to be tough to beat.”

Wright won the first set against Dedecker, who responded in the second set at 152 before completing an impressive comeback to break the Scot in the decider.

“It was a shaky start but I played well in the last two sets,” said Dedecker, who is seeking to become just the third player in World Grand Prix history to defend his double title.

“I was really nervous in the first set because I had never defended a title before, but it was also a good feeling. I got goosebumps coming back here!”

Littler wins plaudits after impressive start

Wayne Mader, Sky Sports:

“What he does really well is when he’s in the upper register lower than the upper register, he rarely switches to the double ten. He stays there and actually forces one into the upper register and then adds a high note or a single note – that’s what gets rid of.

“He just kept getting off the top. He hit 11 doubles and threes, so once he got off the top, the scoring was ridiculous, completely ridiculous.

“It’s the little bits and pieces that keep coming in, and the drips will eventually overwhelm a guy. In the longer formats, if he can keep doing that, he’s going to stop.”

John on Sky Sports:

“It was a great game and Littler did a great job. Luke had all the answers for Van Veen and it was a real joy to watch. He seemed to have his way and whenever he needed something, he got it.

“The concentration was unbelievable, especially against an opponent who has been better than him the last few times. You would think there might be some fear there, but there wasn’t.

“It’s great to see him stand up and face the quality he’s faced with, not blinking and taking every opportunity he gets, which is what you want to see from a rising start. He’s number two in the world and trying to get to number one – I’m sure Luke Humphrys will try to overpower him!”

Thursday’s second round (best of five sets)

• Dirk van Duivenbode VS Darryl Gurney
• Jonny Clayton vs Luke Woodhouse
• Luke Littler vs Mike De Dekker
• Gwen Price VS Josh Rock

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