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.
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"He's not gone for it," remarked darts ace-turned-commentator Wayne Mardle when Van Gerwen didn't even attempt to find the 50. "He thinks someone averaging 101 over nigh-on five sets is not gonna take out 161."
And the audience at Alexandra Palace let the world No. 2 know exactly what they thought of his overly restrained tactics as a chorus of boos greeted his refusal to contest the bullseye. That quickly turned into raucous cheers when Suljovic sealed a poetic bull checkout of his own.
Austria's finest was only too happy to lap up the atmosphere as the crowd rallied behind the underdog in his comeback attempt. Sky Sports' cameras captured Van Gerwen looking off awkwardly into the distance, meanwhile, seemingly in deep contemplation at handing his foe a route back into the match.
"That is insane! That is insane, John Part," exclaimed Mardle after The Gentile's crowning moment. The commentator struggled to hold in his laughter upon seeing MVG's muted reaction, shouting: "Look at his face! Look at his face!"
Pro darts player Matthew Edgar could hardly believe what he'd witnessed as 'Prime Time' tweeted: "What a moment! One we will watch for many of (sic) years." Others on social media agreed the manoeuvre was 'disrespectful' of Van Gerwen, while others labelled it plain 'arrogant'.
While many might dispute the manner in which he made it there, three-time world champion Van Gerwen advanced to reach the tournament's fourth round for the ninth time in his career. He'll face Dirk van Duijvenbode on Friday evening after his Dutch countryman edged out Ross Smith 4-3 on Thursday.
