Gerwyn Price exits World Darts Championship in shock defeat to Wesley Plaisier. The Welsh player was outplayed by the Dutch opponent, who delivered a career-best performance at Alexandra Palace.
Plaisier, a giant in the darts arena, had never progressed beyond the second round at Alexandra Palace prior to his encounter with Price. Despite Price’s status as the 2021 World Champion, it was Plaisier who maintained his composure, hitting nine out of 16 double attempts while Price struggled, managing to secure only four legs throughout the match.
Plaisier dominated the game, not allowing Price to win a single set. This unexpected loss for Price benefits Luke Littler, who was set to face the two-time World Cup of Darts winner in the quarter-finals.
The elimination of seeded players like Joe Cullen, Chris Dobey, and Ryan Joyce in the second round has cleared a path for new contenders. Price, the No. 9 seed, joins the list of high-profile exits at this stage of the championship.
Price, considered a favorite for the match, faced a formidable challenge from Plaisier, who started strong with a remarkable 130 checkout early on. Despite Price’s efforts in the final set, where he displayed exceptional darts, Plaisier’s consistent performance and precision ultimately secured his victory.
The unexpected turn of events saw the crowd at Ally Pally showing support for Price, a rare sight in the darts world. However, Plaisier’s resilience and accuracy prevailed, leading to his triumph over Price.
Looking ahead, Littler awaits his match against Welsh star David Davies in round three, with the potential to face Mensur Suljovic in the following round. As the World No. 1, Littler is heavily favored to continue his impressive run in the championship.
The PDC World Darts Championship commenced on December 11, with fans having the exclusive opportunity to watch every match live through Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.