ST HELENS darter Stephen Bunting was beaten by an astonishing Luke Humphries comeback to go out of the BoyleSports World Grand Prix at the first hurdle.

Meanwhile Rob Cross knocked out tournament favourite Luke Littler on a thrilling opening night in Leicester.

Day One of the double-start showpiece began with eight first round clashes at the Mattioli Arena, as reigning champion Humphries battled back from the brink to topple Bunting.

Two-time semi-finalist Bunting made a blistering start to the contest, winning the first five legs to leave Humphries staring down the barrel.

Nevertheless, after the St Helens star missed one dart at double 16 for a whitewash win, Humphries came roaring back with a three-leg blitz of his own to level the contest at one set apiece.

The world number one then powered to victory in the closing stages, winning three of the last four legs to complete a remarkable fightback.

“These are the games you live for,” said Humphries, who will play Ricardo Pietreczko for a place in the quarter-finals.

“Stephen was very unlucky there. He was the better player overall, but I never gave in, and that is a true champion’s attitude.

“As soon as I won the first leg, I knew the opportunity was there, and I worked incredibly hard to get myself back into the game.”

However, while Humphries survived a scare, tournament favourite Littler was beaten on his double-start debut by a clinical Cross, who converted eight of his ten attempts at a finishing double to come through a high-quality affair.

Cross is yet to advance beyond the second round in seven previous World Grand Prix appearances, but he turned on the style against the teenage sensation, who crashed in six 180s in defeat.

“My record in this tournament isn’t great, so I’m delighted to get over that winning line,” reflected Cross, who wrapped up victory with an 88 finish on the bull.

“I struggled in the first set, but then I started to find my rhythm and I felt very solid on my own throw, which gives me confidence for the next few days.”

2022 runner-up Nathan Aspinall marked his big stage return with a 2-1 victory over Ryan Searle, after coming through a last-leg epic at the Mattioli Arena.

Ross Smith produced the performance of Monday’s opening night in his straight-sets demolition of Gian van Veen, averaging 101.79 to cap off an outstanding display.

The first round action will draw to a close on Tuesday, as six-time champion Michael van Gerwen begins his title challenge against 2017 champion Daryl Gurney.

Michael Smith and Gary Anderson go head-to-head in a blockbuster tie, while former winners James Wade and Gerwyn Price also headline, as they face Peter Wright and Danny Noppert respectively.

The BoyleSports World Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).

2024 BoyleSports World Grand Prix.

Schedule of Play.

Monday October 7.

8x First Round matches.

Ryan Joyce 2-0 Josh Rock (3-2, 3-0).

Martin Schindler 2-0 Brendan Dolan (3-0, 3-2).

Jonny Clayton 2-0 Ritchie Edhouse (3-1, 3-2).

Nathan Aspinall 2-1 Ryan Searle (3-1, 0-3, 3-2).

Ricardo Pietreczko 2-1 Raymond van Barneveld (3-2, 2-3, 3-0).

Luke Humphries 2-1 Stephen Bunting (0-3, 3-2, 3-1).

Rob Cross 2-1 Luke Littler (3-2, 2-3, 3-1).

Ross Smith 2-0 Gian van Veen (3-0, 3-1).

Tuesday October 8 (1800 BST).

8x First Round matches.

Dave Chisnall v Cameron Menzies.

Luke Woodhouse v Dimitri Van den Bergh.

Mike De Decker v Damon Heta.

Peter Wright v James Wade.

Gerwyn Price v Danny Noppert.

Michael Smith v Gary Anderson.

Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney.

Chris Dobey v Joe Cullen.