Michael van Gerwen survives ‘biggest-ever darts shock’ in nightmare Ally Pally begin

Michael van Gerwen was on the brink of being dumped out of the World Championship but fought back to survive what would have been the biggest shock in Ally Pally history.

On a day of new heroes at Ally Pally, with Motomu Sakai’s incredible walk-on and on-stage antics in his victory and the Mike De Decker slayer turned wasp murderer David Munyua, the world No.3 took on another debutant with the crowd firmly behind him in Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.

Bringing out more Dad dancing to Ally Pally, the 52-year-old became an instant favourite with his Alfredo Morelos-esque haircut, stylish glasses and carrying his darts case on a string around his neck for the entire match.

And Tatsunami firmly wrote himself in the history books when he stunned the three-time world champion to win the opening set 3-1. Despite averaging just 79.87, the Japanese thrower hit three out of his four attempts at the double to rock the Palace.

It appeared as though we could have been heading for headline news in the second set when Tatsunami took a two leg lead, reeling off four legs on the spin.

But he missed darts to win the set and was let down by his set-up play, seeing MVG battle back to take the set despite missing 14 darts at double and able to breathe easier at the break.

Tatsunami’s chance had seemingly passed him by – the crowd that had serenaded him with his own song had the stuffing knocked out of them by the Dutchman as he then claimed the third set to lead 2-1.

With his fellow countryman Sakai sat in the front row cheering him on, Tatsunami fearlessly turned up the pressure again, breaking Van Gerwen to win the first leg of the fourth set and held his nerve to hold throw.

MVG had poured cold water on his opponent and the crowd, but all of a sudden a lifeline had been thrown in Tatsunami’s direction to take the game to a deciding set. After throwing for the bull on a 161 out and hitting the 25, Tatsunami wasted two visits to win the set, but MVG returned to mop up where Tatsunami failed.

The deciding leg saw Mighty Mike hold throw to win the game after Tatsunami missed four darts to win the set and send the game to a decider.