MICHAEL VAN GERWEN was left devastated as he reflected on his first round exit on the opening night of the BetVictor World Matchplay.
The Dutchman was the odds-on favourite to lift the newly-titled Phil Taylor Trophy before the start of play but suffered a shock 10-6 defeat at the hands of fellow-Dutchman Jeffrey de Zwaan.
Van Gerwen was not at his usual brilliant best and the exciting youngster took full advantage to dump out the two-time World Matchplay champion.
“I'm completely gutted about this, it was terrible,” said Van Gerwen, speaking to RTL7.
“He became better and better during the match and today wasn't my day. The doubles didn't go fine and my self-confidence was terrible. Everything together, it wasn't good at all.
“In the beginning I missed some doubles - I could have been 4-1 or 5-0 up. I didn’t do that and blamed myself - I made it very difficult.
“If I had done what I should have done, take him on in the early stages of the match, I could have beaten him quite easily.”
I am completely gutted losing tonight and by my performance.
— Michael Van Gerwen (@MvG180) July 21, 2018
I made too many mistakes and missed too many doubles in the early part of the match. I made it too difficult for myself and Jeffrey did what he had to do and took advantage.
Credit is to him. He deserved it & I didn't.
Following Saturday's opening night, Gary Anderson has now been installed as joint-favourite to win the World Matchplay title alongside Rob Cross at 4/1 with sponsors BetVictor.
The prestigious event continues on Sunday at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Day Two will feature eight first round clashes across two sessions as 16 players begin their quest to win the newly-titled Phil Taylor Trophy.
The tournament, televised live on Sky Sports, will see 32 players competing for £500,000 in prize money, including a first prize of £115,000 for the winner along with the newly-titled Phil Taylor Trophy.
The BetVictor World Matchplay will be televised live on Sky Sports and worldwide through the PDC's broadcast partners, as well as through PDCTV-HD for Rest of the World Subscribers (outside of UK, Ireland & Netherlands).
2018 BetVictor World Matchplay
Schedule of Play
Sunday July 22
Afternoon Session (1pm BST)
First Round
Darren Webster v Steve Lennon
Ian White v Max Hopp
Gerwyn Price v Joe Cullen
Daryl Gurney v Steve West
Evening Session (7.30pm BST)
First Round
Mensur Suljovic v Steve Beaton
Gary Anderson v Stephen Bunting
Rob Cross v Mervyn King
Raymond van Barneveld v Kyle Anderson
Format
Best of 19 legs
* Each game must be won by two clear legs, with up to a maximum of five additional legs being played before the sixth additional leg is sudden-death. For example, should a First Round game (best of 19 legs) reach 12-12, then the 25th leg would be the final and deciding leg.