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Markham’s world number one darts player Gerwyn Price was on the receiving end of a shock defeat in the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship – and later admitted he may never play in the tournament again.
His opponent, Gabriel Clemens, continued his history-making run with a 5-1 demolition of Price at Alexandra Palace on Sunday to become the first German player to reach the semi-finals.
Price had made a blistering start to the contest, taking out 140 and 110 checkouts in consecutive legs to draw first blood with a 107 average in winning the opening set without Clemens having a dart at a double.
However, the German number one responded, posting ton-plus averages to win each of the next two sets, and then converting a stunning 136 finish en route to a 3-1 lead.
Clemens then fired in a superb 11-darter to wrap up set five, before completing a clean sweep in set six to break new ground at Alexandra Palace.
Top seed Price, who is a former Cross Keys rugby player, had caused a stir when he sported noise-cancelling ear defenders during the fifth set – later switching to ear plugs.
Posting on Instagram, the 2021 champion said: “Not sure I will ever play in this event again.”
He added: “So frustrating you play all year round preparing for this one tournament. So gutted I wasn’t let play but good luck everyone left in.”
He has since deleted all of his Instagram posts.
Cheered on by a significant German contingent at Alexandra Palace, Clemens rose to the occasion, averaging 99.94 and landing eight 180s to take full advantage of a below-par display from Price.
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