Littler needed less than 12 minutes to secure a 2-0 victory over fellow rising star Van Veen, securing his place in the next round. Despite the defeat, Van Veen recorded an extraordinary average of 106.47, surpassing Alan Warriner-Little’s 24-year-old record.
“Gian brings the best out of me, and vice versa,” said Littler, who himself averaged over 105. “To get my first win on this stage feels incredible. Anything can happen in double-start, so I’ll be hoping to perform like this again in round two.”
Van Gerwen, however, produced a disjointed display against compatriot Dirk van Duijvenbode, who at one stage threatened a whitewash, and was beaten in straight sets.
Earlier, Gerwyn Price survived a scare before edging past Ryan Searle 2-1. The Welshman dropped the first set and looked in trouble, but forced a deciding third set before edging to victory against an impressive Searle.
Elsewhere, Belgium’s Mike De Decker beat Scot Peter Wright and will be rewarded with a face-off against Littler in the next round.
Josh Rock fought back to overcome Ryan Joyce, and Luke Woodhouse defeated Damon Heta -- both by the score of 2-1.
Meanwhile, Daryl Gurney stunned Michael Smith with a straight-sets triumph, and Jonny Clayton defeated Andrew Gilding by the same score.
The second round starts on Wednesday, with world No. 1 Luke Humphries taking on Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski. Stephen Bunting faces Danny Noppert, while Gary Anderson and Rob Cross meet Joe Cullen and Cameron Menzies, respectively.
More to follow...
Tuesday's results
Luke Woodhouse 2-1 Damon Heta (3-0, 0-3, 3-2)
Daryl Gurney 2-0 Ross Smith (3-0, 3-1)
Jonny Clayton 2-0 Andrew Gilding (3-1, 3-2)
Gerwyn Price 2-1 Ryan Searle (0-3, 3-2, 3-1)
Luke Littler 2-0 Gian van Veen (3-2, 3-0)
Dirk van Duijvenbode 2-0 Michael van Gerwen (3-0, 3-2)
Mike De Decker 2-1 Peter Wright (1-3, 3-1, 3-1)
Josh Rock 2-1 Ryan Joyce (1-3, 3-1, 3-2)
Wednesday's fixtures
Cameron Menzies v Rob Cross
Stephen Bunting v Danny Noppert
Luke Humphries v Krzysztof Ratajski
Joe Cullen v Gary Anderson