Van Gerwen told he is the underdog in shock World Grand Prix verdict

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been warned he is the UNDERDOG against Ryan Joyce in his World Grand Prix opener.

The world No7 heads into Monday’s first-round clash with his confidence “a bit low” after a miserable run of results.

Van Gerwen, 37, was dumped out of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam by Daryl Gurney despite having SIX match darts to win the contest.

The Dutchman eventually crashed out 6-5 and is still waiting for his first major quarter-final of the year and a Euro Tour title.

Mighty Mike has also suffered first-round exits in the World Grand Prix in each of the last two years, failing to win a SINGLE set in either appearance.

Now Van Gerwen faces a tricky opener against Joyce at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on September 28.

Former pro and close friend Vincent van der Voort believes the Newcastle thrower could actually have the edge going into the clash.

He told the Darts Draait Door podcast: “[Michael] went all in, he’s busy and training and so on… But I tell him this too: you can’t expect it to be there after a week and a half of practice.

“Confidence is a bit low right now and he’ll have to work very hard to bounce back. Then Joyce is a really awkward opponent. Two years ago he was in the Grand Prix semi-final. He’s a very tough opponent.

“Michael must focus entirely on his own game. If he plays well, he should beat Joyce. But we also have to judge him on how he’s playing now. Then we might just have to say Ryan Joyce is a slight favourite.

“He has more confidence than Michael right now. He just had six match darts and didn’t put them away.

“So why would we say he’ll just beat Joyce? I think we all have to get used to that new standard.”

Van Gerwen competed in Players Championship 29 and 30 in Den Bosch over the past two days, with his best result coming in the latter as he reached the quarter-finals before losing 6-2 to eventual finalist Scott Williams.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning