Michael van Gerwen, the world number four from the Netherlands, was eliminated in the first round of the Players Championship 23 in Leicester, losing 6-5 to England’s Daniel Ayres, who is ranked 150th globally. Van Gerwen had initially taken a 5-4 lead in the match but was unable to close out the victory as Ayres staged a late comeback.

This defeat adds to a challenging period for van Gerwen, who recently missed out on qualifying for the Premier League play-offs and finished as a runner-up in the World Cup of Darts final. The result at the Players Championship underscores ongoing struggles for the three-time world champion, contrasting with his previous dominance in the sport.

The Players Championship events are part of the Professional Darts Corporation’s tour, providing ranking points and important opportunities ahead of major tournaments. Van Gerwen’s early exit marks a notable upset given the ranking disparity between the two players and highlights Ayres’s breakthrough performance in Leicester.