Michael van Gerwen incurs very rare defeat in group stage of Grand Slam of Darts

Michael van Gerwen lost out in his group match at the Grand Slam of Darts 2024 on Sunday night. Despite 'Mighty Mike' taking a break lead twice early in his match against Gary Anderson, the Dutchman lost 5-4 to his Scottish rival.

Because of this defeat, an all-deciding match against Ryan Joyce awaits Van Gerwen on Tuesday. Anderson is already sure of a spot in the knockout stage with two wins, while Noa-Lynn van Leuven can no longer get into the top two. In a straight duel, Van Gerwen and Joyce will decide between themselves who will advance to the second round with Anderson.

Van Gerwen losing a match in the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts has been a huge rarity in recent years. In 2007, 2008 and 2010, 'Mighty Mike' was eliminated in the group stage of the tournament each time, but from 2011 the three-time world champion always made it to the last sixteen.

Since 2011, Van Gerwen has lost only four matches in the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts. Mark Walsh handed the Vlijmen native a defeat at the 2011 edition, after which Van Gerwen remained unbeaten in the group stage for six years. That came to an end in 2018, when Jonny Clayton won a match from the Dutchman.

Then in 2019, 2020 and 2021, Van Gerwen grabbed the full prize again in the group stage of the Grand Slam of Darts. However, Ross Smith snatched points from the Dutchman in 2022, which Gary Anderson has now managed to do as well.