Danny Noppert has dumped out one of the main favourites for the 2021 World Grand Prix title in Michael van Gerwen in a sensational display from 'The Freeze'.
Noppert claimed it in a straight sets win as 'The Green Machine' couldn't add to his five titles in the double start format as well as his recent triumph at the Nordic Darts Masters.
That was a confidence booster for the World Number Three but he will now go back to square one ahead of the European Championship next week.
He did take a memorable moment from the tie as he missed 170 for a remarkable nine-dart finish and there was also needle with Noppert accusing Van Gerwen of stamping on the oche.
The double Dutch theme will continue for Noppert with Vincent van der Voort his next opponent.
To begin the tie, both held throw with Noppert eventually getting his opening hold on double two to make it 1-1. Van Gerwen continued that streak with a 52 checkout to go one away from the opening set.
Noppert forced a decider with Van Gerwen unable to win the set off a 152 checkout. Van Gerwen failed to get off on his throw but so did Noppert until his sixth turn.
Despite that though, 'The Freeze' was first to a finish in 56 which he pinned for the opening set.
Van Gerwen went one dart away from a nine-dart finish on 170 on bull but with Noppert missing 64 to hold and he followed that up with a 13-darter to make it 2-0 and go one away from making it a level game.
A 54 checkout saw Noppert stop the rot of sorts. A break would send him one away which he claimed with a 103 checkout to make it 2-2 and a hold would see him win.
A 90 checkout on double 15 saw Noppert claim it in superb fashion with no handshake on stage.
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While Jose de Sousa eased past Glen Durrant whos darting woes continued with an easy win for 'The Special One' who didn't need to produce his best.
De Sousa claimed the opening leg on double five to hold throw and he sealed the opening set with eight darts missed to get in from Durrant.
He finally got the chance for a leg in the second set with De Sousa not able to seal the break but he couldn't hit 58 and the Portuguese ace went 1-0 up with a break.
Durrant claimed a first leg finally with a 53 checkout but still the darting demons were there as he mimicked punching the board.
De Sousa went one away with a break despite hitting double 14 when 50 was left and he wrapped it up with a 70 checkout on double 18.
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