Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen is knocked out by Damon Heta on the opening night of the World Masters in Milton Keynes.
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen was knocked out by Damon Heta on the opening night of the World Masters in Milton Keynes.
The 36-year-old Dutchman - who won the Masters five times in a row between 2015 and 2019 - lost 3-1 to Australian number one Heta, who checked out 101 to seal his victory.
World Championship runner-up Gian van Veen was solid on his Masters debut, progressing 3-1 past Ryan Joyce despite losing the first set, while former world champion Gerwyn Price racked up a three-dart average of 108.51 to defeat in-form James Hurrell.
Jonny Clayton - last year's beaten Masters finalist - saw off Wessel Nijman 3-1, with Nathan Aspinall defeating Shane McGuirk by the same scoreline.
Defending Masters champion Luke Humphries and world champion Luke Littler - the world number one - both enter the tournament on Friday.
Thursday's results
Chris Dobey 3-0 Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson 3-2 Niels Zonneveld
James Wade 3-2 Madars Razma
Nathan Aspinall 3-1 Shane McGuirk
Jonny Clayton 3-1 Wessel Nijman
Gerwyn Price 3-0 James Hurrell
Michael van Gerwen 1-3 Damon Heta
Gian van Veen 3-1 Ryan Joyce
Category: General Sports
