Jeffrey De Zwaan produced a sensational performance to knock out Michael van Gerwen in the first round of the World Matchplay at the Winter Gardens last night.
Dutchman De Zwaan was a huge outsider for the best-of-19-legs first round clash, but he sparkled on the main stage, and eventually the two-times Matchplay winner was beaten 10-6 by De Zwaan who will face Adrian Lewis in the second round.
van Gerwen, who lifted the Matchplay crown in 2015 and 2016, was aiming to bag his third win in the event, and he was a red-hot favourite to lift the Phil Taylor Trophy in Blackpool, but failed to shine on the oche, and having drawn level at 6-6 was unable to win another leg as De Zwaan held his nerve to take the biggest win of his career.
It was the opening day of the 2018 World Matchplay, and the aforementioned Lewis kicked off the tournament with a 10-8 win over James Wilson, while Dave Chisnall eased past Keegan Brown 10-4 in the second match of the night.
De Zwaan's victory came third on stage, while Bully Boy Michael Smith stormed into the second round with a comfortable 10-6 win over Welshman Jonny Clayton, but all four winners on Saturday night will feel that they have a real chance of lifting the trophy next weekend, and with van Gerwen out of the tournament then it should be a fascinating event in the north west.
The action at the Winter Gardens continues on Sunday.
(📹 @OfficialPDC)
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