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Double winner Gary Anderson he had a 54th birthday to forget as he crashed out of the World Championship after a shock second-round loss to Jeffrey de Graaf.
The Scot, champion in 2015 and 2016, hit just three of his 20 clearance attempts as he was beaten 3-0 and dropped for the first time in his opening match of the tournament.
Anderson was the most famous victim in the day of the disturbance in the Alexandra Palace in London after outings for fellow holders Ross Smith, Martin Schindler, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Ritchie Edhouse.
The 14th seed entered the contest with the highest three-dart total of the year at 99.66.
Underdog De Graaf, who had 75 per cent success and started with 11 darts, told Sky Sports: “It’s great. Gary didn’t quite show up as usual, but I’m very happy with the win.
“I was very nervous after the first set, and even when I was 2-0 I was thinking to myself, ‘what’s going on now?’
“You could see that maybe with a few arrows, when I missed. It was just the nerves that came in, but I’m happy I got through it in the end.”
Earlier, Joe Cullen stormed out of his post-match press conference after accusing the media of a lack of respect following the 3-0 win over Wessel Nijman.
The 2022 Masters champion, who will next face 2021 winner Gerwyn Price, kept his answers short during a harrowing on-stage interview.
Bradford-born Cullen then vented his frustration to reporters backstage before making an untimely exit.
“I think the way I’ve been treated probably in the media and stuff – I know you’ve got no control over the bookies – I’ve been shown no respect, so I’m not going to show any respect to any of you guys tonight,” he said.
“I’m going home. Cheers.”
Ian White jokingly branded an incoming opponent Luke Littler “Runcorn’s number two” after fighting back to beat 29th seed Edhouse.
The 54-year-old set up a showdown with teenage sensation Littler thanks to a 3-1 win over the European champions.
White, born in the same Cheshire town as 17-year-old Littler, admitted he will need to improve his game when he returns to the oche after a three-dart average of 88.86.
Asked if he knew who was waiting for him, White said: “Yes, Runcorn is number two. I’m from Runcorn and I’m number one!
“I hope it will be a better game than the one I played tonight.
“You want to cause an upset, you’re going to be an underdog, but I’m all for it.
“Luke Littler over the last two years has done everything for the sport at this point, so keep it up.”
Philippine qualifier Paolo Nebrida secured the biggest win of his career by brilliant former European champion and 19th seed Smith 3-0 to set up a meeting with De Graaf, while Dutch 25th seed Van Duijvenbode was beaten 3-1 by Latvia’s Madars Razma.
German number one Schindler, the 22nd seed, missed double 12 for nine darts and a one-set lead before going down 3-0 to Callan Rydz.
Ryan Searle started with 10 darts en route to a comfortable 3-0 win over Canada’s Matt Campbell.