Littler and Van Gerwen Fall Early in Championships

World champion Luke Littler faced a setback at the Players Championship events, being knocked out in the first round of the 11th championship by Dylan Slevin and then exiting in the last 16 of the 12th event against Ritchie Edhouse. Littler, despite a recovery attempt, could not overcome Edhouse in a tense decider, losing 6-5. Meanwhile, Edhouse proceeded to the quarter-finals only to lose to Gian van Veen. Littler's recent defeats mark a challenging period, as he also lost in the Premier League in Berlin earlier. Prominent players like Michael van Gerwen and Gerwyn Price also faced early exits in the tournaments. Littler aims to bounce back as the Premier League continues in Manchester, where he will face Gerwyn Price.