DOLAN DUMPS OUT MvG! 😱 Brendan Dolan causes one of THE biggest upsets in World Matchplay history as he defeats Michael van Gerwen. The reigning champion is OUT! ❌ 📺 bit.ly/WM23Live | #WMDarts R1
Defending champion Van Gerwen dumped out in opening round as Dolan causes massive upset at 2023 World Matchplay
PDCSunday, 16 July 2023 at 23:21
Michael van Gerwen was talked up as the favourite coming into this year's World Matchplay, but in a shock reminiscent of his loss to Jeffrey de Zwaan in 2018, he has been dumped out in the opening round.
This time as the defending champion as he couldn't add to his recent Premier League Darts win as well as numerous titles including on the World Series in a 10-7 defeat to 'The History Maker' on the Winter Gardens stage.
Dolan began superbly starting off with a 4-1 lead but Van Gerwen soon sprung into life with a 132 checkout to reduce the deficit to 4-2. It was 5-5 suddenly as he hit a 137 checkout with Dolan ruing missed opportunities.
But he kept to the task of holding his throw and hit a 75 checkout to make it 6-5. He went two clear from there at 8-6 and a 62 checkout saw him on the brink at 9-6.
He had an off leg with Van Gerwen leaving a finish after nine but Dolan made no mistake from there hitting double three after initially chasing round the board with Van Gerwen missing a chance to break and send it potentially towards a decider.
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Where can I watch the World Matchplay on TV?
The tournament will be broadcast in full on Sky Sports going between Action and Main Event.
From Saturday, July 15 through Wednesday, July 20, broadcasts will begin around 7 p.m. ET. In addition, on Sunday, July 16, there will be an afternoon session starting at 1 p.m. After the second round, the starting time of the evening sessions moves up one hour.
On Sunday afternoon, July 24, the second edition of the Women's World Matchplay is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm. Here, eight ladies will compete for the title at the most important women's tournament in the PDC.
How much prize money can be earned at the World Matchplay
After the World Darts Championship, the World Matchplay is the ranking tournament with the largest prize pool at the PDC. A total of 800,000 pounds of prize money is up for grabs at this event.
All 32 participants are guaranteed £10,000 in prize money. This could eventually add up to a check of as much as £200,000 for the darter who gets to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy on Sunday, July 23.
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- Oh, dear... how will we cope now?MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- They really are going through an insipid spell - at present.MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- Well done Mike – good to move on and look to the future. With his talent, and increasing confidence on stage, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the month ahead.
UndartedWaters22-11-2024 - It's called talent and good on him.medinabello21-11-2024
- There are 30 Players Championship rounds to play first throughout the year and you have to be in the top 64 to get to the finals. This is probably the hardest Major to win as its the top 128 players at each event or the top ranked Challenge Tour players if any tour card holders drop out.Mysstree20-11-2024