Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen endured a major fright in his opening match at the World Darts Championship, narrowly avoiding a stunning upset against Japan's Mitsuhiko Tatsunami.
A Rocky Start for the Former Champion
Playing on a dramatic Thursday night at London's Alexandra Palace, van Gerwen found himself in serious trouble early on. The Dutchman, known as 'Mighty Mike', lost the first set to the unheralded Tatsunami, the world number 143. The situation grew even more perilous when he fell 2-0 behind in the second set, putting him on the brink of a two-set deficit.
Van Gerwen, whose last world title came in 2019, has faced a turbulent year off the oche. He has spoken openly about his personal struggles, including his separation from his wife of over ten years, Daphne, which led him to take a break from the sport to adapt to his new life as a single father to their two children.
Tatsunami's Missed Opportunities Prove Costly
Displaying remarkable nerve, van Gerwen clawed his way back to level the second set at 2-2. In the decisive leg, Tatsunami had two clear chances to win the set and take a commanding lead. The Japanese player had darts at double to take out finishes of 116 and 136, but he could not convert either opportunity.
This failure to capitalise proved to be the turning point. Van Gerwen, seizing the lifeline, found his range on the doubles to steal the set and level the match. The crowd, which had been firmly behind the underdog Tatsunami—who wore distinctive goggle-like glasses and kept his darts case around his neck—sensed the momentum shift.
Dutchman Digs Deep to Secure Victory
With the match now level, van Gerwen began to find his rhythm. He swept the third set 3-0 to move ahead for the first time. However, Tatsunami refused to fade away, forcing a final-set decider. The tension peaked again in the fifth set, where the Japanese qualifier had darts to win the match before van Gerwen finally closed out a hard-fought 3-2 victory.
The match was part of a day of shocks at Ally Pally, where Tatsunami's countryman Motomu Sakai and Kenyan qualifier David Munyua had already claimed notable scalps. Tatsunami's brave effort earned him £15,000 in prize money for qualifying and competing.
Speaking before the tournament about his difficult year, van Gerwen told Daily Mail Sport: "I'm feeling alright. We know the draw, we know the day we are going to play, and we can prepare. I am looking forward to it." He added, "It is of course different this year. I have had a tough year and I have to adjust myself. To adjust is not that easy. You have to balance your life again."
Having survived this major scare, the seven-time Premier League champion can now prepare for his second-round match, his title hopes still alive but his form clearly under scrutiny.
