Jonny Clayton sensationally ended Michael van Gerwen’s five-year reign as champion on the opening night of the 2020 Ladbrokes Masters in Milton Keynes on Friday.
Van Gerwen was previously undefeated in 20 games on the Marshall Arena stage, but Welsh number two Clayton’s superior doubling accuracy ensured the world number one’s campaign got off to the worst possible start.
Clayton flew out of the traps, landing a 116 finish to open up a 3-0 lead, only for Van Gerwen – using a new set of darts – to wrestle his way back into the contest at 5-5.
Not at his clinical best, Van Gerwen was unable to take a stranglehold on the game as Clayton won the next four legs, including a stunning 92 checkout using double 16 and double top, to go one away from victory at 9-5.
2020 Ladbrokes Masters
Friday January 31
First Round
Michael Smith 10-6 Mensur Suljovic
Nathan Aspinall 10-4 James Wade
Jonny Clayton 10-6 Michael van Gerwen
Adrian Lewis 10-5 Rob Cross
Saturday February 1 (1900 GMT)
First Round
Daryl Gurney v Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson v Ian White
Peter Wright v Joe Cullen
Gerwyn Price v Simon Whitlock
Sunday February 2
Afternoon Session (1245 GMT)
Quarter-Finals
Adrian Lewis v Michael Smith
Jonny Clayton v Nathan Aspinall
Price/Whitlock v Anderson/White
Wright/Cullen v Gurney/Chisnall
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
Semi-Finals
Final
