Gerwyn Price Crashes Out of World Champs to Dutch Debut Man

Welshman Price - who was third favourite to win back the crown he lifted four years ago - went out after a straight-sets defeat at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night.

Price, who had confidently declared only days earlier that he would win the title, was dismantled 3-0 by the Dutch debutant, who produced a composed and clinical performance to reach the third round on just his second appearance on the sport’s biggest stage. 

The defeat sent shockwaves through the Palace, particularly given Price’s projected path through the draw, which included a potential quarter-final showdown with reigning champion Luke Littler.

Plaisier set the tone immediately, matching Price’s power scoring and punishing missed opportunities. 

He broke throw in the opening set to move ahead, his 60 per cent success rate on the doubles proving decisive. 

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While Price struggled to find rhythm at key moments, Plaisier maintained his level, again striking early in the second set before landing a crucial dart at double four to move within touching distance of a monumental scalp.

With the throw firmly in his favour in the third set, Plaisier showed no signs of nerves, keeping Price under constant pressure before sealing the win on double ten. 

It was a moment that left the Dutchman visibly emotional as he struggled to process the scale of the achievement.

"I still cannot believe it, I am so over the moon," Plaisier told Sky Sports.

"This is my biggest victory ever I think. I don't know how I did it but I am happy I kept calm at the end.

"I was so nervous, I am so happy I got it over the line. I can't explain it in words, it is just so special.

"I thought I was going to give him a hell of a match, I did not expect to win it."

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While Price’s exit dominated the narrative of the night, Luke Littler continued his title defence with a hard-earned 3-0 win over another Welshman, David Davies.

It was a match that was far from routine despite the scoreline.

Davies pushed the world number one relentlessly in the opening exchanges, averaging over 103 in the first set and even breaking Littler’s throw. 

However, missed chances proved costly. After Davies squandered six set darts and then mistakenly attempted to walk off stage thinking the set was over, Littler seized control, taking out 82 on tops to edge ahead despite posting a modest 89.04 average.

From there, Littler gradually found his range. His average climbed beyond 96, highlighted by a stunning 145 checkout that swung momentum firmly in his favour. 

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Although Davies continued to threaten, his struggles on the doubles ultimately undermined his challenge, missing 16 attempts at the outer ring while Littler needed just the same number of visits in total to finish the match.

Littler closed out the contest on his favoured double ten to book a third-round meeting with Mensur Suljovic, as he continues his bid to become only the fourth player to successfully defend a world title.

"I'm happy with it, but just throughout that game I was getting away with it," Littler told Sky Sports.

"David missed 16 darts at a double, but every dart he missed was crucial - the double 18s, the tops.

"If he hit them, it was a complete different game, but I'm glad he missed. I've got the job done.

"I watched it this afternoon and Mensur [Suljovic] played well.

"Obviously, no one knows this, but when the tournament draw came out, Mensur messaged me, and he said 'see you in round three'.

"So, Mensur, let's have a good game."

Elsewhere at Ally Pally, Germany’s Martin Schindler quietly impressed with a composed 3-0 win over Keane Barry. 

Each set went the distance, but Schindler’s finishing under pressure proved decisive as he edged all three 3-2 on legs, posting a solid 96.16 average to underline his growing credentials.

Yet it was Price’s unexpected collapse that stole the spotlight, reshaping the draw and opening the door for new contenders, while Plaisier walked off the iconic stage having etched his name into World Championship folklore.