BREAKING: Gerwyn Price out of World Darts Championship as dream route for Luke Littler opens

Gerwyn Price was seen as one of the favourites to win at Alexandra Palace, but the Welshman was stunned by Dutch star Wesley Plaisier in round two

Gerwyn Price has been knocked out of the World Darts Championship second round by Wesley Plaisier. The Welshman simply got nowhere near the Dutchman, who put in a career best performance at Alexandra Palace.

The gigantic Plaisier had never progressed past round two at Alexandra Palace before his clash against the Iceman. But it was the underdog who was ice cool, hitting nine of his 16 attempts at a double, while Price only took four legs in the whole match.

Plaisier did not give Price a second to breathe and also did not allow the 2021 World Champion to even take a single set. Price's shocking loss is an enormous gain for Littler, who was expected to face the two-time World Cup of Darts winner in the quarter-final.

Now a promising route for the 18-year-old is beginning to open up. On the defending champions' side of the draw, until the quarter-final at least, Price looked to be his biggest threat on paper.

Moreover, seeded stars Joe Cullen (No. 32), Chris Dobey (No. 8) and Ryan Joyce (No. 24) have all been knocked out in the second round. Price, the No. 9 seed, is the latest star to depart at the same stage.

Price was widely expected to win and win comfortably, but Plaisier completely flipped the script and destroyed Price. He set the tone early by hitting a stunning 130 checkout, where he finished on the bullseye.

The Welshman averaged 94.91 in set one, but Plaisier's emphatic timing limited Price to only two attempts at a double.

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