Michael van Gerwen has been dumped out of the World Championship after losing 5-3 to Scott Williams in the quarter-finals.
With a whole host of big names already being eliminated, the draw had opened up for the three-time world champion to add to his collection.
However, despite having not lost a set in the early rounds, Van Gerwen was considerably below par as he lost out to the Englishman, who required this victory just to break into the world's top 32.
After a slow start, Van Gerwen capitalised on missed opportunities from Williams to move 2-1 ahead, and the assumption was that the underdog would rue his missed opportunities.
Instead, he won four of the following five sets as Van Gerwen wilted under the pressure, aside from a dominant sixth set, Williams only dropping two legs during the final two sets.
WILLIAMS STUNS VAN GERWEN TO REACH LAST FOUR!!! 🤯
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2024
The biggest win of his career and a HUGE shock from Scott Williams as he beats Michael van Gerwen to reach the Semi-Finals! 👏
The wait for a fourth world title for MvG goes on ❌
📺 https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts pic.twitter.com/FW8wsRUoli
Williams averaged 96.32 and took 18 of the 29 legs played, moving through to the last four after Luke Littler and Rob Cross had progressed earlier in the day.
Sixteen-year-old Littler continued to show few nerves as he powered to a 5-1 triumph over Brendan Dolan, posting a 101.93 average and a 47% checkout rate.
In sharp contrast, Cross produced one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport, rallying from 4-0 down to Chris Dobey - who was averaging in excess of 100 - to claim a thrilling 5-4 success.
During a match that featured 27 180s, the most notable statistic was Cross hitting each of his five double attempts in the deciding set at a time when Dobey only hit three from 15.
While Cross and Littler will now square off for a place in the final, Williams will meet Luke Humphries after the third seed stormed to a 5-1 victory over Dave Chisnall.
