Two-time world champion Gary Anderson crashed out of the World Darts Championship after a shock second-round loss to Jeffrey de Graaf at Alexandra Palace.
Anderson struggled all through a one-sided contest in opposition to his unseeded opponent, profitable only one leg and changing simply three out of 20 makes an attempt at double on his strategy to a straight-sets defeat in opposition to De Graaf.
De Graaf breezed by means of the primary two units with out dropping a leg and broke Anderson once more within the subsequent, wrapping up a well-known win to e book a third-round assembly with Paolo Nebrida after Christmas.
Anderson grew to become the most recent high-profile participant to be knocked out of the World Darts Championship
Anderson’s birthday to neglect was the primary time he had misplaced his opening match in 16 World Championship appearances, on an evening the place fellow seeds Ross Smith and Martin Schindler had been additionally knocked out.
How Anderson suffered early exit
Anderson was one of many names anticipated to problem favourites Luke Humphries and Luke Littler for the Sid Waddell Trophy, being within the different aspect of the draw to final 12 months’s finalist, however didn’t dwell pre-tournament expectations.
De Graaf opened with an 11-dart maintain and fired in a Shanghai end for a second successive ton-plus checkout to interrupt, then responded to a surprising 121 end and 12-darter from Anderson to wrap up the opening set on D9.
De Graaf is thru to the third spherical for a second 12 months in a row
The Swede instantly broke with a 13-darter in the beginning of the second and capitalised on six missed darts at double from the ‘Flying Scotsman’ within the subsequent to carry throw, with extra wayward ending from Anderson permitting De Graaf to shut out the set within the following leg.
A visibly pissed off Anderson ended a run of seven consecutive misplaced legs with an excellent 11-darter, with the Scot dragging the third set right into a decider after responding to De Graaf profitable the third leg by claiming a 14-dart maintain of his personal.
Anderson wanted to interrupt the DeGraaf throw in a final-leg decider to prolonged the competition, however might solely watch on as De Graaf took out a 76 end on D18 to finish a powerful victory.
“It’s nice,” De Graaf instructed Sky Sports activities. “Gary did not present up as he often does however I’m very proud of the win.
“I bought very nervous after the primary set and once I was 2-0 up I used to be considering: ‘What’s going on now?’ I’m comfortable that I bought by means of in the long run. I’m comfortable to be right here and let’s hold going.”
Extra to comply with…
Cullen cuts brief media duties after cruising by means of
Within the afternoon session, Joe Cullen stormed out of his post-match press convention after cruising by means of to the third spherical with a straight-sets victory over Dutchman Wessel Nijman.
Joe Cullen says the media have proven him ‘no respect’, after Wessel Nijman was made the favorite of their conflict on the World Darts Championship
Cullen had gained simply three of his final 12 matches earlier than this 12 months’s Worlds however produced considered one of his efficiency of the 12 months, firing a 98.18 common to arrange a gathering with former world champion Gerwyn Worth after Christmas.
The Rockstar felt he had been disrespected within the build-up to the match, telling reporters: “I have been proven no respect, so I will not share any respect to any of you guys tonight. I’ll go dwelling.”
Cullen provides a fleeting interview to Sky Sports activities Darts after posting a dominant win over Nijman
Ryan Searle opened proceedings with a powerful 3-0 victory in opposition to Matt Campbell whereas Dirk van Duijvenbode grew to become the most recent seed to make an early exit after Latvian Madars Razma got here from a set down to say a 3-1 win.
Ian White additionally precipitated an upset after knocking out present European Championship winner Ritchie Edhouse, with a 3-1 win for ‘Diamond’ seeing him progress to play pre-tournament favorite Luke Littler within the third spherical.
Ian White says he is able to upset ‘Runcorn’s No two’, Luke Littler, in spherical three
“He [Littler] is Runcorn’s No 2 – I am from Runcorn and I am No 1!” White mentioned. “You wish to trigger an upset. I am all for it. Luke Littler has carried out every part for this sport in the intervening time.”
What’s arising on day 9?
The ultimate eight second-round matches happen on Monday, with Jonny Clayton headlining the afternoon session in opposition to Mickey Mansell and former world youth champion Josh Rock up in opposition to Rhys Griffin.
Krzysztof Ratajski face Alexis Toylo within the opening match of the day and former UK Open champion Andrew Gilding opens his match in opposition to Martin Lukeman, whereas Dave Chisnall and former world champion Rob Cross are each concerned within the night session.
Chisnall performs Ricky Evans and Cross takes on Scott Williams, following on from Gian van Veen going up in opposition to Ricardo Pietreczko and Daryl Gurney taking part in Florian Hempel.
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely dwell till January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
