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 solely two legs and changing simply three out of 20 makes an attempt at double on his approach to a straight-sets defeat in opposition to De Graaf.
De Graaf breezed by means of the primary two units and broke Anderson once more within the subsequent, wrapping up a well-known win to ebook a third-round assembly with Paolo Nebrida after Christmas.
Anderson turned the newest 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 have 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 facet 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 at 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 a superb 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 is great,” De Graaf informed Sky Sports activities. “Gary didn’t show up as he usually does but I am very happy with the win.
“I received very nervous after the primary set and after I was 2-0 up I used to be pondering: ‘What’s going on now?’ I’m completely satisfied that I received by means of ultimately. I’m completely satisfied to be right here and let’s preserve going.”
Extra to observe…
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.
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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 received simply three of his final 12 matches earlier than this 12 months’s Worlds however produced one in all his efficiency of the 12 months, firing a 98.18 common to arrange a gathering with former world champion Gerwyn Value after Christmas.
The Rockstar felt he had been disrespected within the build-up to the match, telling reporters: “I’ve been shown no respect, so I won’t share any respect to any of you guys tonight. I’m going to go home.”
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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 turned the newest seed to make an early exit after Latvian Madars Razma got here from a set down to assert a 3-1 win.
Ian White additionally induced 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.
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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’m from Runcorn and I’m No 1!” White mentioned. “You want to cause an upset. I’m all for it. Luke Littler has done everything for this sport at the moment.”
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 enjoying Florian Hempel.
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match solely dwell till January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.
