Oct 09,2024
Six-time champion Michael van Gerwen crashed out of the World Grand Prix in the first round after suffering a 2-0 defeat to 2017 winner Daryl Gurney.
Van Gerwen failed to win a single leg in the only double-start tournament on the PDC calendar, with players having to start and finish each leg on a double or the bull.
It looked like Van Gerwen would avoid a humiliating whitewash when he needed 186 to win the third leg in set two and hit treble 20 with his first two darts, but he surprisingly opted to complete a 180 and then failed to take out double three on his next visit.
Gurney made no mistake with double eight to seal the win and will face Joe Cullen in the last 16, Cullen coming from a set down to beat Chris Dobey 2-1.
Gary Anderson took advantage of Michael Smith missing two match darts as the Scot edged a battle of two former world champions 2-1, with Danny Noppert also missing a match dart to take out 101 and beat Gerwyn Price.
Noppert still had the advantage of throwing first in the deciding leg but needed six darts to hit a double and a relieved Price scrambled over the line.
Two-time winner James Wade beat 2018 runner-up Peter Wright 2-1, while Dave Chisnall enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 win over Cameron Menzies.
