Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith both knocked out of World Grand Prix
Six-time champion Michael van Gerwen and world number two Michael Smith were knocked out of the first round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester.
Dutchman Van Gerwen was beaten 2-0 by Northern Ireland’s 2017 champion Daryl Gurney, who produced a dominant display that his opponent had no answer for.
World number three Van Gerwen failed to win a single leg, the first time he had been unable to do so in a televised ranking match for 13 years.
Meanwhile, world number two Smith was beaten by Gary Anderson 2-1.
The pair were renewing their rivalry in a repeat of their first-round match at the World Matchplay in July.
Back then it was England’s Smith who knocked out Anderson but the 53-year-old Scot secured his revenge on Tuesday, battling back from a set down to win.
Meanwhile, Wales’ 2020 champion Gerwyn Price beat Dutch number two Danny Noppert 2-1, two-time World Grand Prix winner James Wade saw off Peter Wright 2-1 and Joe Cullen battled back from losing the first set to beat fellow Englishman Chris Dobey 2-1.
Elsewhere, Dave Chisnall beat Cameron Menzies 2-0, Luke Woodhouse lost 2-1 to Dimitri van den Bergh and Mike de Decker defeated Damon Heta 2-1.
