Littler opens Grand Slam of Darts defence against Beau Greaves

Luke Littler begins his defence of the Grand Slam of Darts on Saturday against Beau Greaves, the player who beat him in last year's World Youth Championship semi-finals. Sky Sports says their Group A match is in the evening session at WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton, which starts at 7pm UK time.

A bigger field and a tougher format

The tournament, organised by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), runs until 22 November. BBC News reports that 48 players are taking part, up from 32 previously, and that the total prize fund has risen from £650,000 to £1m.

The winner receives £200,000 and the Eric Bristow Trophy. BBC News says Littler is attempting to lift the trophy for the third time.

The format has changed too. There are now 16 groups of three instead of eight groups of four, with two points for a win. Only the top player in each group progresses, where previously the top two went through. Sky Sports says the quarter-finals are on 20 and 21 November, with the semi-finals on the afternoon of 22 November and the final in the evening. BBC News gives the final time as 19:30 GMT.

Littler's opener against Greaves

BBC News describes Littler, 19, as a double Grand Slam winner who has yet to be beaten in Wolverhampton. Dutch champion Niels Zonneveld completes Group A.

Greaves, 22, has played in the last three Grand Slams and won two matches, but has yet to get out of the group stage. Sky Sports reports that she narrowly lost to Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson last year despite averaging over 100.

BBC News says it will be their first meeting on the Grand Slam stage.

"I think it's going to be a good game just to watch"

Greaves told Sky Sports she was excited about the match, and said she must improve her consistency. "I have good moments, but I just don't do it consistently enough," she said.

Local hope and other contenders

BBC News lists 2023 champion Luke Humphries, Dutch number one Gian van Veen and three-time Grand Slam champion Gerwyn Price among the other recognisable names.

West Midlands fans have a local player to support in Luke Woodhouse, the world number 17, who represents his hometown of Bewdley in Worcestershire.