There have been upsets aplenty in the World Grand Prix already this year.
Luke Littler was eliminated from the competition on day one, while another pre-tournament frontrunner was beaten on Tuesday evening.
Michael van Gerwen lost 2-0 to Daryl Gurney in Leicester on Tuesday, and, once again, poor board management was a big story in the game.
Littler was eliminated after trying an unconventional route on an 81 finish, drawing criticism from Wayne Mardle, and Van Gerwen did similar against Gurney.
In the final leg of the match, MVG hit a 180 off of 186 to leave an awkward double-three finish.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Wayne Mardle blasted The Green Machine’s decision to hit a maximum from 186.
Wayne Mardle criticises Michael van Gerwen’s board management
Mardle was baffled by Van Gerwen’s decision to go for a 180 in his penultimate visit of the tournament.
Mardle says that he simply doesn’t understand why MVG went for the maximum, claiming that any player at any level would have to question such a decision.
“Honestly though, honestly, leaving six there. I don’t get that. Now he’s come back for a double he will not like and now it’s awkward, that’s all about the 180 he hit. I’m sorry, I don’t care what you play, you have to question that 180 hit,” Mardle said.
What should Van Gerwen have done?
Mardle says that Van Gerwen was wrong to go for a 180, so, what should he have done instead?
Well, after hitting 120 from his first two darts, Van Gerwen had 66 to go with one dart in hand.
At that point, your best bet is to throw at the treble 10 segment to leave double 18.
If you miss the treble and hit a single, you’re left with 56, which would allow a player to go 20, double 18 or even 16, double tops in their next visit.
Even if you’re seriously wayward with the treble dart, you’re either going to slip into the six or the 15 bed, which, once again, would leave you with a very manageable two-dart combo.
Van Gerwen eventually missed his three darts at double three, which is the most difficult double on the board, and, ultimately, that would be his final visit of the tournament as Gurney capitalised on his mistake.
Van Gerwen’s run without a big TV major continues.