Zonneveld knocks out Rock as Wattimena and Searle advance at World Grand Prix

Niels Zonneveld knocked seventh seed Josh Rock out of the World Grand Prix on Tuesday, winning their first-round match 2-1 in sets. Jermaine Wattimena and Ryan Searle also advanced, according to results published by BBC Sport, as the second day of the tournament brought further departures among the seeded players.

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Wattimena beat 15th seed Chris Dobey 2-0 to secure his place in the second round. Searle, seeded 14th, avoided the same fate as Dobey and Rock by overcoming William O'Connor 2-1. Those three results were confirmed in the BBC's updated tournament results, with other Tuesday matches still listed without completed scores at the time of the report.

The exits followed a disruptive opening night on Monday, when defending champion and top seed Luke Littler lost 2-1 to Luke Woodhouse. Six-time winner Michael van Gerwen also went out, beaten 2-1 by Ryan Joyce. Littler had won the 2025 final against Luke Humphries 6-1, but his attempt to retain the trophy ended at the first hurdle this year. Rock and Dobey have now joined him among the first-round casualties.

The World Grand Prix requires players to hit a double before they can begin scoring in each leg, as well as finishing on a double. That starting requirement distinguishes it from the other PDC majors. First-round matches are decided over a maximum of three sets, with each set played over the best of five legs. Players who progress face a longer contest in round two, when matches extend to the best of five sets.

The draw places Wattimena against the winner of Humphries' match with Dave Chisnall. Zonneveld is due to face either Gary Anderson or Damon Heta, while Searle's next opponent comes from Gian van Veen's meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode. Those second-round ties are scheduled for Thursday, with the quarter-finals following on Friday and the final on Sunday.

This year's tournament carries a total prize fund of £750,000, up from £600,000 in 2025. The champion will receive £150,000, compared with £120,000 last year. Players eliminated in the second round receive £20,000, while first-round losers earn £7,500, the only finishing category whose payout has not increased.