Michael van Gerwen has been eliminated from the World Darts Championship following a 4-1 defeat to long-time rival Gary Anderson. A decade has passed since the Flying Scotsman dominated the darting arena – yet he turned back the clock on Tuesday night to triumph over MVG once again. Anderson proved ruthless on the doubles whilst Mighty Mike stumbled on the Alexandra Palace stage.

Despite some struggles with finishing in the decisive set, it represented a catastrophic collapse for the Dutchman who found himself needing to hold serve and then secure a break merely to remain in the competition. Van Gerwen ultimately succumbed under pressure, bringing his World Championship campaign to an abrupt conclusion.

The year has proved challenging for the Dutch star, who was determined to leave his personal difficulties behind at the World Championships: “I have had a tough year, probably my worst year ever,” he admitted.

“But still, last year I think my form was worse than it is now and I still need to find it. “Things were happening in the past, you can’t change it anymore. The only thing you can change is the future.

“I used to have a wife who helped me with things, but now when I have the kids, I have to look after them. So I have to adjust myself a little bit. My kids are always priority number one.”

Anderson said after his victory: “I think I was rotten, Michael [Van Gerwen] was rotten! I knew Michael misses a few doubles now and again, but not that many. We pinched it at the end and happy to get through.

“I’ve never felt right since I got on the stage tonight and I don’t think Michael felt right as well. I was trying to feed off him and vice versa.”