GARY ANDERSON is the new 5/2 favourite to win the William Hill World Darts Championship following the exit of world number one Michael van Gerwen.
Pre-tournament favourite van Gerwen's loss to Dutch rival Raymond van Barneveld on Tuesday night saw the betting market blown wide open for darts' showpiece World Championship.
Sponsors William Hill have now installed reigning champion Anderson as the new 5/2 favourite to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy on January 3, following the Scot's 4-0 third round whitewash of Vincent van der Voort.
Phil Taylor, the 16-time World Champion who plays his third round clash with Jelle Klaasen on Wednesday night, is the 7/2 second favourite.
Two-time Alexandra Palace winner Adrian Lewis is the 4/1 third favourite after he progressed to the quarter-finals with a straight sets win over Mensur Suljovic, while van Barneveld is now 8/1 to be crowned as World Champion for a sixth time in his glittering career.
"Michael van Gerwen attracted just over 46% of all outright tournament bets, and was the clear favourite to win the tournament," said William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny.
"His departure has blown the tournament wide open and all the remaining players will really fancy their chances of lifting the Sid Waddell Trophy."
Following Tuesday's play and the drama of pre-tournament favourite van Gerwen's exit, title sponsors William Hill have now released the following Outright Winner odds:
5/2 Gary Anderson
7/2 Phil Taylor
4/1 Adrian Lewis
8/1 Raymond van Barneveld
10/1 Michael Smith
11/1 James Wade
12/1 Peter Wright
16/1 Dave Chisnall
25/1 Jelle Klaasen
66/1 Mark Webster
80/1 Alan Norris
Odds correct at time of publication and subject to fluctuation. For the latest odds, visit www.williamhill.com.
William Hill World Darts Championship
Remaining Third Round Games
Wednesday December 30 (7pm)
Peter Wright v Dave Chisnall
Alan Norris v Mark Webster
Phil Taylor v Jelle Klaasen
Best of seven sets
Quarter-Finals Draw Bracket - Order of Play TBC
Raymond van Barneveld v Michael Smith
Adrian Lewis v Wright/Chisnall
Gary Anderson v James Wade
Norris/Webster v Taylor/Klaasen
To be played on January 1