Beau Greaves says she is "excited" to face Luke Littler on the opening day of the Grand Slam of Darts this weekend.

Greaves has been drawn in the same group as Littler and Dutch player Niels Zonneveld with only the top player from each group progressing to the knockout stages.

Littler and Greaves will meet for the first time since the latter beat the world champion at the World Youth Championship 12 months ago in Saturday's night's Grand Slam of Darts session, which begins at 7pm, live on .

"I think he's the best [player in the world] in my eyes, I think he's fantastic to watch, he's been amazing, so I always imagine he's going to play really well," said Greaves.

"I don't want to go in there thinking, 'oh he's not on form', or he's struggling, because then I would just be terrible, so I've got to go in there thinking 'he's going to absolutely smash me', and just play my game, and try and take any chance I can, and just enjoy it.

"I think it's going to be a good game just to watch, and just to be a part of it is special. I look forward to playing it."

Greaves has played in the last three Grand Slam of Darts and won two matches but is yet to get out of the group stages.

The 22-year-old narrowly lost to Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson, despite averaging over 100, last year and is hoping to perform well on the big stage once again.

"I played decent at the Grand Slam last year. I have good moments, but I just don't do it consistently enough," she said.

"It's something that, if I am going to do really well in the sport, I'm going to have to get better at. It's a challenge for me, but I look forward to it.

"I always look forward to kind of getting better and improving. I'm aware that obviously I'm not up to that standard as I do play on the floor, but it's just a work in progress at the minute, I would call it.

"But I'm just trying to look forward to everything rather than dread anything and obviously look forward to playing on stage rather than think I'd rather play on the floor. So, I'm just trying to switch it around a little bit."

Greaves: I didn't have a clue about the format change!

The Grand Slam has expanded this year from 32 to 48 players and sees 16 groups of three, rather than four players in a group.

"I didn't know. I didn't have a clue that there was only three in the group! I don't know why they've done it really. It didn't make much sense to me, but again, I don't really know," said Greaves.

"It's just odd, but I suppose you've still got to do well to win your group regardless but it's different, I was a bit shocked."

Greaves says she has felt "relaxed" when playing Littler in the past and is "excited" to face the world No 1, who has won the last two Grand Slam of Darts titles.

"I know Luke's loads better than me, but I kind of have to at least convince myself I can win," she said.

"I can't go up there wanting to get beat but I know it's obviously, he's 10 times better than me, but strange to think about if you get beat.

"Luke Littler is the heavy favourite to come through that group obviously, so it's strange, but there is a big jump in prize money if you finish second or third, so there's still a little bit to play for on the ranking, so just trying to not think about it and just try and enjoy every game, and try and do my best."

Smith: I have nothing to prove - 'I should be in Premier League'

Also speaking to media on Thursday was Ross Smith, two weeks on from his European Championship title success.

Smith joined Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Rob Cross and Peter Wright as a multiple winner of the European Championship, following his 2022 success by defeating Martin Schindler 11-8 in the final in Dortmund.

The Englishman's latest triumph adds to his World Series Finals victory in September and sees him rise to a career-high sixth in the PDC Order of Merit.

"I've already proved I have the game to beat the best," Smith said.

"I have beaten Luke Littler, I have beaten Luke Humphries. Maybe not at a major event or anything, but I can only play the players I'm drawn against.

"But I'm definitely not afraid of playing them, that's for sure. And I actually relish and look forward to it.

"It's just about knuckling down and getting the wins. Whoever's in front of me, I don't really think about both the Lukes or anyone else. It's just the person in front of me. That's all I can do."

Smith was speaking a day after PDC chief executive Matt Porter told the 37-year-old was now "one of the best players in the world" and firmly in his thinking for the 2027 Premier League.

Asked for his response, Smith said: "I read it this morning. It's always nice to get credit for when you're playing well, especially from the top end of the game and the guys sitting there making the decisions. It's great to hear.

"Again, I'll just wait for the phone call or message or email, whatever it is. It's just nice to get the recognition that all the hard work is paying off at the moment.

"I'm not going to even read into it. A few years ago when I won the Euros, I put too much pressure on myself. I don't think I've really got anything to prove.

"I've beaten every single player out there - I've also been beaten by most of them as well. It's out of my hands regardless.

"I'm just trying to embrace everything and the opportunity that's been given to me. Of course I want to be in the Premier League. I should be in it, but again, that's not my call.

"At the same time, I'm grateful to be where I am. I've got an amazing job, something that I always wanted as a kid. I've got amazing family and friends around me. What more do I want in life, you know? I'm just happy in life."

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