PRICE HUMBLED AFTER BOLD WORLD CLAIMS BACKFIRE

GUTTED Gerwyn Price admits he was way off as his bold World Championship prediction was ripped to bits by wonderful Wesley Plaisier.

The Welsh wizard crashed out in spectacular fashion at Ally Pally in a huge shock.

Price was one viewed as one of the biggest threats to Luke Littler’s chances of going back-to-back at the Worlds.

However, Plaisier slammed him into the dirt with a fabulous show which denied The Iceman even a single set in a whitewash win.

Price took to social media afterwards to stay: “Absolutely gutted there had so much support which was amazing. Wesley was great at the right moments but I was way off and it showed.”

It was a staggering success for the 35-year-old and he described it as the biggest of his PDC career to date.

Plaisier said: “I still can’t believe it. I’m so over the moon. My biggest victory ever, I think. I don’t know how I did it, but I’m happy.

“I kept calm at the end, but I was so nervous. I’m so happy to get it over the line.

“I can’t explain it in words. It’s just so special. I got here and I thought I’m going to give him a hell of a match, but I didn’t expect to win it.

“I’m so happy I won it and that’s the only thing I can say. Thank you to everyone who was here to make it even more special.”

For Price, it was a shuddering setback and no doubt left him reflecting on the bold statements he made prior to the clash.

The 2021 champion was adamant he was going to once again get his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy and was bullish following his first-round triumph over Adam Gawlas.

Price stated that no-one was going to stand in his way en route to the trophy as he declared: “I am winning. Honest. I’m not losing. Nobody’s beating me this year.”

Littler and Price were due to meet in the last eight if he had progressed and that didn’t seem an issue for the former king.

He said: “I don’t mind as I know I delete my social media before big tournaments and just get my own little bubble. I believe in my own talent and my own ability, but, if people are saying that, then fair play to them. But I just believe I’m gonna win this tournament and I don’t care what the obstacles are in front of me.”

Unfortunately for Price, the next obstacle came in the shape of the Dutch ace who simply had too many guns for him.

Plaisier started the contest in fabulous fashion and simply did not let up as he kept his foot on the former rugby star’s throat.

The Ally Pally crowd did their best to work for Price by booing his opponent as he stepped up try and hit the winning darts.

Although it worked the first time, Price could not take advantage and Plaisier stepped forward to seal the deal.

Image by Taylor Lanning.