World Series: Top 10 Upsets

Corey Cadby, Phil Taylor (PDC)

AS Mark McGrath became the latest Oceanic Representative to defeat one of the top PDC stars in Auckland, we took a look back at the top ten upsets seen on the World Series of Darts circuit.

The 2018 Auckland Darts Masters, presented by TAB and Burger King, got underway with a bang as the reigning Shanghai Darts Master Michael Smith was dumped out on Day One by McGrath.

The past five years' events since the World Series was introduced in 2013 have seen a number of similar upsets that will live long in the memory, but which is your favourite?

Here we take a look back at the top ten greatest upsets from the World Series.

10. Anderson Lifts First TV Title (2017 Auckland Darts Masters)

Kyle Anderson claimed his first televised PDC title as he secured a deciding leg win in the final of the 2017 Auckland event over fellow Australian star Corey Cadby in the final.

The match encapsulated everything the World Series is about, featuring two players whose development has been accelerated by the concept, and saw Anderson edge past Cadby 11-10 in a gripping climax to a memorable tournament.

9. Dancing Dimitri Stuns MvG (2018 German Darts Masters)

Dimitri Van den Bergh enjoyed the most memorable run of his emerging career as he defeated Michael van Gerwen for the first time with an 8-3 quarter-final triumph.

Having won the Premier League in convincing style a week previously, the Dutchman was a red-hot favourite to win in Gelsenkirchen but Van den Bergh had other ideas and went on to reach the final on an incredible day for the Belgian.

Kyle Anderson (PDC)

8. Anderson Beats Barney In Sydney (2014 Sydney Darts Masters)

After hitting his famous nine-dart finish at the World Championship a few months previously, Kyle Anderson's next TV appearance saw the Australian ace make his mark once again with a famous win over Raymond van Barneveld.

Anderson edged out the Dutch legend 6-5 before going on to defeat countryman Simon Whitlock as he reached the semi-finals, where his run was ended by Phil Taylor, but the Sydney event was a major confidence-boost in the career of the likeable Aussie.

7. Wham Bam Royden Lam! (2018 Shanghai Darts Masters)

Royden Lam produced a massive shock to beat Gary Anderson 6-5 at the Chinese showpiece.

Anderson showed resilience to take the tie to a last-leg decider but Hong Kong's Lam was cool under pressure and found the winning double to mark a big moment in the progression of Asian darts.

6. McGrath Dumps Out Smith (2018 Auckland Darts Masters)

Mark McGrath got the 2018 New Zealand event off to a flying start as he dumped out Premier League finalist Michael Smith.

Smith, who had claimed his first senior televised title in China less than a month earlier, was punished for missed doubles as McGrath progressed to the quarter-finals.

5. Awesome Dawson Raises Roof In Vegas (2017 US Darts Masters)

Canadian youngster Dawson Murschell announced his talent to a worldwide audience with a shock win over James Wade on the opening day of the 2017 US Darts Masters. 

The then 21-year-old overcame big-stage nerves, having made his TV debut a day earlier in the North American Championship, to win 6-5 after Wade missed six match darts in a dramatic deciding leg at the Tropicana in Las Vegas.

Clinton Bridge (PDC)

4. Bridge Too Far For Barney With First Win For Aussies (2013 Sydney Darts Masters)

Clinton Bridge lit up the first World Series event in Sydney with a sensational win over Raymond van Barneveld in August 2013.

Bridge, a bricklayer from Geelong, came back from 5-3 down to win 6-5 on a sparkling TV debut.

Rhys Mathewson (PDC)

3. Mathewson Shocks Wade (2016 Sydney Darts Masters)

Little-known Australian Rhys Mathewson shocked James Wade with an astonishing comeback from 5-2 down to win 6-5.

Mathewson, who was making his TV debut, took advantage of some wasteful finishing from Wade, who appeared to be cruising tovictory, only for the stubborn Aussie to delight the home crowd.

Warren Parry (PDC)

2. Parry Back From The Brink To Dump Out MvG (2014 Sydney Darts Masters)

Warren Parry produced a sensational comeback from 5-1 down to knock out then World Champion Michael van Gerwen 6-5 in the second Sydney Darts Masters.

The experienced Kiwi looked well beaten as the Van Gerwen took control, but the New Zealander's fighting spirit kicked in to cause a massive upset in Sydney against all odds.

Corey Cadby (PDC)

1. King Cadby Inflicts Taylor's First Defeat Down Under (2016 Perth Darts Masters)

Corey Cadby produced a stunning performance to end Phil Taylor's incredible winning record in Australia with a convincing 6-2 win, despite Taylor averaging 111.65

The exciting Aussie youngster made his TV debut in defeat to Taylor at the Sydney Darts Masters the previous week before bouncing back in style to announce himself to the world.