Bunting takes down Aspinall at World Grand Prix

World Matchplay champion Nathan Aspinall was dumped out of the World Grand Prix by Stephen Bunting on the opening day of the tournament in Leicester.

Bunting was able to checkout 42 to claim a 2-1 win in an error-strewn contest with Aspinall, who lost in the final to Michael van Gerwen at Morningside Arena in 2022.

Two-time semi-finalist Bunting clinched the opening set by a 3-1 score before Aspinall hit back with a superb 140 finish to level at 1-1 and force a decider in the first-round clash.

The deciding set went down to the wire but Bunting got a grip on his game to edge out his rival in the double in, double out event.

"I have been flying in the Pro Tour and for whatever reason I got up there and I was very nervous playing one of my good mates," Bunting said afterwards.

"I'm playing Martin Schindler in the next round so I'll be ready for him.

"Every player in this tournament is dangerous and double off makes it a bit of a leveller. If I can hit my doubles - not like I did there but like I did in the practice room - then I should be good."

Former winner Gerwyn Price had no trouble booking his place in round two after he beat Danny Noppert by a 2-0 score.

It was not all straightforward for the 2020 champion, with Noppert able to establish a 2-1 lead in the first set, but a timely maximum by Price was followed up with the Dutchman failing to take out 76.

Price pounced to take out 101 before he checked out 40 in the decider to move one up in Leicester.

Set two was more routine for Price, who landed his double 20 throw to progress with an 88.23 average.

"I was terrible on doubles to start. I was all right on doubles to finish and I think the 180 and the 101 out won me the match," Price reflected.

"My starting doubles, I need to stop