The 2023 World Darts Championship witnessed an embarrassing moment of mighty proportions on Wednesday courtesy of Michael van Gerwen.
'MVG' was coasting at 3-1 up in his third-round showdown against 'The Gentile' when complacency perhaps got the better of him. With the scores tied at two legs apiece in the fifth set, Van Gerwen spurned the chance of a 121 checkout on bull in favour of a go at double 16 on his next turn.
That opportunity never came, however, as Suljovic dutifully stepped up to clinch the set with a 161 finish, which Van Gerwen must have felt was beyond his opponent's grasp. It proved futile in the end as he stormed back to seal a 4-2 victory, but not before suffering a moment of significant shame.
