Michael van Gerwen saw his bid to retain the World Series of Darts Finals crown come to an abrupt halt in the very first round, succumbing to a 6-5 defeat at the hands of Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney. The match was a roller‑coaster of drama, with Van Gerwen holding a 5-4 lead and having six darts at a finishing double, only to miss each one.
Gurney then forced a deciding leg, which he managed to win despite a chorus of boos and whistles from the crowd in Amsterdam, clearly favoring the Dutch star. This loss marks only the second occasion that Van Gerwen has been knocked out in his opening match at this particular event, underscoring the challenges he has faced throughout a turbulent 2026 season. The three‑time world champion, who has dominated the sport for many years, could not find his usual composure when it mattered most, and the narrow margin of the defeat will likely fuel discussions about his form as the year progresses.
Gurney, who has struggled to make a consistent impact on the biggest stages in recent years—outside of his occasional success in the World Cup of Darts—was quick to credit a mixture of hard work and a touch of luck for his victory. “It was really hard work. I can’t remember the last time I won on a major stage,” he said after the match.
He went on to explain that he had to finish his own darts twice because Van Gerwen left six match darts unconverted. “In all honesty, I was very lucky to even get to 5‑5, and I knew I needed trebles at the crucial moment,” Gurney added, highlighting the pressure he felt as the match swung back and forth. Gurney’s entry into the tournament was itself a story of last‑minute opportunity.
Visa complications forced the withdrawal of the Philippines representatives, Alexis Toylo and Lourence Ilagan. As the highest‑ranked players on the reserve list, the Dutchman Maik Kuivenhoven and Gurney were called up to fill the vacant spots, giving the latter a chance he seized with both hands.
The opening phase of the encounter saw Gurney surge ahead to a 3‑0 lead, a stretch in which Van Gerwen failed to even get a dart at a double. However, the three‑time world champion rallied dramatically, taking the next five legs in succession and appearing to be on course for a comeback victory. Gurney, refusing to capitulate, halted the momentum at 5‑4 and then capitalised on Van Gerwen’s six missed match darts to break serve, ultimately holding his nerve to clinch the deciding leg and book a second‑round clash with Ross Smith, who had earlier dispatched Kevin Doets 6‑3. The first day of the tournament also featured several other notable battles.
England’s Luke Humphries edged past Dutch competitor Jermaine Wattimena 6‑4 in a match that featured a spectacular 132 checkout (two bullseyes followed by a double 16) to open the scoring. Despite building a 5‑3 advantage, Humphries missed eight match darts, yet managed to survive the pressure, ultimately winning the match after a series of tense exchanges. His victory set up a Saturday afternoon second‑round meeting with Dirk van Duijvenbode, who had earlier rallied from a 4‑1 deficit to beat Sweden’s Viktor Tingstrom 6‑4.
In another thrilling contest, Josh Rock staged a comeback against Stephen Bunting, overturning a 5‑2 deficit to win 6‑5 by capturing the final three legs after Bunting missed his own match darts. Rock’s win earned him a place against Ryan Searle, who had comfortably beaten Rob Cross 6‑2.
Meanwhile, Gian van Veen produced a dominant performance, routing Chris Dobey 6‑2, and Karel Sedlacek edged past Ben Robb 6‑4. The tournament schedule for Friday promises to complete the first‑round action, with big names such as Luke Littler, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, James Wade and Nathan Aspinall set to take the stage. Littler, in particular, enters the day on the back of an extraordinary season in which he has claimed every major title on his résumé, and he will be looking to add a second World Series of Darts Finals crown to his growing collection.
For viewers wishing to follow the ongoing drama, the organizers recommend using the Chrome browser to access an enhanced video player, ensuring the best possible viewing experience. The tournament’s opening round took place on Thursday, September 17, and featured a full slate of matches, including: - Viktor Tingstrom 4‑6 Dirk van Duijvenbode - Rob Cross 2‑6 Ryan Searle - Karel Sedlacek 6‑4 Ben Robb - Kevin Doets 3‑6 Ross Smith - Stephen Bunting 5‑6 Josh Rock - Luke Humphries 6‑4 Jermaine Wattimena - Michael van Gerwen 5‑6 Daryl Gurney - Gian van Veen 6‑2 Chris Dobey Fans can also look ahead to the World Grand Prix, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from September 28 through October 4. Those interested in streaming the coverage can do so via the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.
Overall, the first round of the World Series of Darts Finals delivered a mixture of upsets, nail‑biting finishes, and compelling storylines, setting the stage for an exciting second round where the remaining competitors will vie for the prestigious title.