The PDC World Darts Championship had many surprises this week, including the exit of eminent darter Peter Wright in the sudden-death leg.
Peter Wright was the first reigning champion to leave the last-32 stage. The last champion to exit before him was Phil Taylor in 2014. Taylor missed 30 darts at a double after firing nine 180s.
2018 PDC champion Rob Cross, two-time champion Adrian Lewis, and 2019 runner-up Michael Smith spent an early vacation before Christmas following a quick loss in the second round of the competition. It only took Peter Wright three days to join the three in the waiting room.
Nobody expected German dart player Gabriel Clemens to rise to the occasion, as he ranked No. 31, which was too far from Peter Wright's rank. However, the German flashed his firm composure against the formidable Scot, as he finished off Wright in double 19 for 14 darts to seize the decider.
While high-profile exits bugged the fans, No. 2 Michael van Gerwen posed an immense status in the game following a straight demolition performance against Ricky Evans, 4-0.
The Dutch posted a 108 average with a previous average of 107, and seven 180s hit in the second leg to mark his dominance over nemesis Peter Wright, who suffered a sudden beating.
Against Clemens, Peter Wright missed a crucial dart on his 19th attempt, which handed him a glaring defeat to the 'German Giant.'
The last 16 saw how Snakebite struggled from the beginning. Clemens returned Wright's favor after taking the first two legs of the fourth set. It was the time when Wright had only landed four out of his 21 shots in the doubles.
The German surveyed the board for a big score, but he failed to connect two darts for a 3-1 advantage. The 37-year-old Clemens, who started a professional career in 2002, jabbed 98 in the fourth set to check out 120 and even the sets.
Peter Wright saw how to turn the tables for him, edging Clemens in the fifth through a two-leg lead. Clemens pounded a finishing 144 by 84.
Wright missed the bullseye despite taking the fifth set as Clemens flipped his pieces for a 126-checkout en route to a 3-2. Snakebite was still alive in the sixth with 41 darts, but Clemens stayed calm and delivered a concussive blast in the final decider to strip the crown from the current champion.
With Peter Wright's exit, Michael van Gerwen had to focus against Ricky Evans, who was also chasing the top spot.
Van Gerwen exhibited only six minutes of throw-and-focus to oust Price in the blitz match even though Ricky sizzled a 2-1 blade in the early round.
The Dutch answered back with a 150 check-out and arrowed 11 darts to regain his two-lead loss.
Rapid Ricky controlled the third set, but Van Gerwen shackled his last laugh following a 13-dart fire to conclude the event.
In Van Gerwen's last eight competitions, he only failed to book the final four spot once. His strong finish in the current tournament had a long way to go, even if several key players already stumbled in their demise.
Clemens will face Polish Krzysztof Ratajski in the last 16. Van Gerwen will fight Joe Cullen, who won against Jonny Clayton, to continue his contention dream for the top spot.
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