2026 Belgian Darts Open: Luke Littler knocked out in third round by Niels Zonneveld

World champion Luke Littler lost 6-5 to Niels Zonneveld in the third round of the Belgian Darts Open.

Littler is unbeaten in 12 matches in the tournament and is bidding for a hat-trick at Wieze by winning in 2024 and 2025.

However, the 19-year-old Englishman suffered his first defeat in a qualifying match since last October against world number 39 Zonneveld of the Netherlands.

Zonneveld was down 3-1 to Littler after the opening shot went awry and then fought back to take a 4-3 lead.

The 27-year-old Dutchman missed three match darts in the 10th game, which allowed Littler to level the score at 136.

But Zonneveld then produced a stunning finish of 147 in the final leg decider to secure a memorable victory over the Warrington teenager.

Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton were among those advancing to the quarter-finals later on Sunday.