Michael van Gerwen suffers shock loss to ex-darts world champ the Bronze Adonis in first round of Players Championship 9
DARTS superstar Michael van Gerwen suffered a shock defeat to world No48 Steve Beaton on Monday.
The two players came face to face at Players Championship 9 in Hildesheim, Germany.
But MVG didn’t make it past the first round after losing 6-4 to Beaton.
Following his win over Van Gerwen, the Bronzed Adonis – who won the World Championship back in 1996 – went on to suffer a 6-2 defeat to Scott Williams.
MVG has struggled to find form in recent weeks.
The Dutchman has not won a Premier League night since April 11 when he beat Luke Littler in Birmingham.
He currently sits fourth in the table, two points above Michael Smith with just two weeks remaining before the Play-Offs in London.
Taking to X after his defeat to Rob Cross in Aberdeen, Van Gerwen wrote: “Tough night in Aberdeen. The bull wasn’t on my side.
“Disappointed with the result, but staying focused for the remaining weeks.”
Cross went on to face Littler in the final but lost 6-4.
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Speaking after the event, Littler said: “I knew what was coming this week and I was building up to it.
“I always engage with the crowd and the semi-final I was playing with complete freedom.
“I just felt comfortable tonight. I knew what was coming and I was glad to win.
“It’s been looking tight [for the play-off places] the last few weeks but I’m glad to win and be clear of it.
“I’m happy to push myself away from the other people but I know it’s going to be tight for the other bunch.”
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age – smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he’s even the face of a brand new cereal.
Check out all of our Luke Littler stories here.