Luke Humphries begins World Grand Prix title defence by beating Stephen Bunting

Luke Humphries began his bid to retain his World Grand Prix title with a comeback 2-1 victory over Stephen Bunting in Leicester.

Humphries went a set down before he checked out with double 16 to level the tie.

World number one Humphries then managed to win the next set to round off victory.

Luke Littler crashed out in the first round with a 2-1 defeat to Rob Cross.

The 17-year-old levelled the tie to take it to the final set but ultimately it was Cross who booked his place in the next round.

Raymond van Barneveld exited the competition after he fell to German player Ricardo Pietreczko 2-1.

World number five Nathan Aspinall was clinical in the final leg, executing double three to checkout and beat Ryan Searle 2-1. Wales' Jonny Clayton did not drop a set in his 2-0 dismissal of Ritchie Edhouse while Ross Smith averaged nearly 102 as he defeated Gian van Veen 2-0.

There was disappointment for the Irish pair in action.

Ryan Joyce beat 23-year-old Josh Rock 2-0 while Martin Schindler hit double two in his final leg to finish off a 2-0 win over former finalist Brendan Dolan.