In one of the biggest shocks in World Championship history, John Part’s reign is over.
The World Champion was sensationally beaten 3-0 by American qualifier Bill Davis as the shockwaves reverberated around the Alexandra Palace on the opening night of the tournament.
“I just didn’t get going,” Part said. “To say I’m disappointed is putting it politely but I only have myself to blame.”
He will fly back home to Canada on Christmas Day and he still won’t believe what happened to him.
The Canadian made the worst possible start, losing the opening set by 3 legs to 1 as Davis took out 116 to move ahead.
And Part will still be wondering just how he lost an amazing second set. The Unicorn star went two legs down but then produced some dazzling darts.
He hit back-to-back 180s twice in winning the next two legs in 11 and 12 darts and when Part banged in a 5th maximum at the start of the deciding leg, he looked nailed on to level the match.
However, Part then blew it big time – missing five clean darts at D18 to win that second set, as Davis nicked it with one dart at D20…..it was unbelievable and Part was clearly stunned by his misses.
The drama continued in set three as Davis just kept on hitting those doubles. Part managed to force a decider and then came agonisingly close to winning it, as he clipped the wire of D20 for a 125 finish.
Davis stepped up to take out D10 to complete a massive upset and send Part packing.
Part praised his opponent but Davis – The Philadelphia Flyer – was clinical on those doubles and the Canadian will always look back at those five missed darts at D18 in the second set which would have levelled the match.
Part now has a lot of time to think and a lot to think about but we have seen him bounce back before and we will surely see him bounce back again.
On a night of upsets, three more seeds fell by the wayside, as Roland Scholten, Wayne Jones and Andy Jenkins were all beaten.
But it is the biggest shock of all…..the departure of John Part that will make all the headlines.
Friday results:
Preliminary Round (best of 9 legs):
Warren French 5-3 Akihiro Nagakawa (winner v Dennis Priestley in 1st Round)
1st Round (best of 5 sets):
Roland Scholten 2-3 Carlos Rodriguez
Wayne Jones 1-3 Robert Thornton
John Part 0-3 Bill Davis
Andy Jenkins 1-3 Co Stompe
On day two, Phil Taylor starts his quest for a 14th World title against qualifier Steve Grubb and three more Team Unicorn stars kick-off their bid for World Championship glory.
Terry Jenkins faces Dennis Smith, Barrie Bates plays Felix McBrearty and Kevin Painter has a tough opener against Matt Clark.
Stay in touch with the Unicorn website….there will be two updates a day over the first weekend of the Ladbrokes.com World Championship
By STUART PYKE at the Alexandra Palace
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Lustig / PDC