Littler Suffers Third-round Exit In Belgian Open

World champion Luke Littler was knocked retired of nan Belgian Darts Open successful nan 3rd information pinch a 6-5 conclusion by Niels Zonneveld.

Littler was connected a streak of 12 matches unbeaten successful nan tourney and was bidding for a hat-trick of victories successful Wieze, having won nan arena successful 2024 and 2025.

But nan 19-year-old Englishman suffered his first conclusion successful a ranking arena since past October astatine nan hands of world number 39 Zonneveld of nan Netherlands.

Zonneveld had trailed 3-1 to Littler, aft nan opening exchanges went against nan throw, earlier he battled backmost to return a 4-3 lead.

The 27-year-old Dutchman missed 3 lucifer darts successful nan 10th limb which allowed Littler to level nan people pinch a 136 checkout.

However, Zonneveld past produced a superb 147 decorativeness successful nan final-leg decider to unafraid a memorable triumph complete nan Warrington teenager.

Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton were among those to advancement to nan quarter-finals later connected Sunday.