LUKE LITTLER couldn’t watch as Rob Cross sent him crashing out of the World Grand Prix.
The 17-year-old turned away from the board as his practice buddy hit the bullseye to KO him 2-1 on his debut in Leicester.
‘The Nuke’ never looked in red-hot form and lost the opening set because of poor doubles despite hitting four sizzling 180s.
Littler levelled it up in sets but in the decider Cross needed 88 to finish the job and sealed it with a perfect bullseye.
It was only a third win at the GP for Cross after seven previous appearances.
Teen sensation Littler has now lost in his opening match of both the last major trophies after losing to Michael van Gerwen in the Matchplay in July.
World No.4 ‘Voltage’ said: “He’s on the crest of a wave still and playing brilliantly all year. He’s picked up trophies regularly. He’s a phenomenon.
“The boy is absolutely mustard which makes it a big result for me. I’ve been shocking in this tournament in the past but my double-starts were brilliant tonight.
“Luke has been different class all year and has beaten me more and he’ll be back, that’s for sure.
“This is a great win and well overdue in the Grand Prix. But it’s up to me to keep it going. This win means nothing unless I get on a decent run and go all the way.”
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Luke Humphries came back from the dead to keep his World Grand Prix defence alive.
The World Champ was staring defeat in the face as Stephen Bunting missed a match dart to whitewash him with six successive legs.
However ‘Cool Hand’ hit double nine to survive and came back to win 2-1 in a thriller.
Meanwhile, Cross faces Martin Schindler next.
