DOUBLE TROUBLE
World Darts Championship sees first MAJOR shock as seeded former semi-finalist James Wade exits in his first match
The 41-year-old racked up an unwanted record during Monday's second-round drubbing
JAMES WADE has been dumped out of the PDC World Darts Championship at the first hurdle.
The former World No. 2 crashed out after a straight-set drubbing by in-form Jermaine Wattimena.
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Wade, known as The Machine, was the first seed to crash out of the tournament last year and was hoping to avoid the same fate.
But he was never in the second round contest as The Machine Gun produced a dominant performance in front of a capacity Ally Pally crowd.
Wattimena averaged 99.17 as he cruised to a 3-0 victory, dropping just two legs in the process.
It extends Wade's long wait for a PDC world title, with the 41-year-old still to make it past the semi-final stage at darts' premier event.
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Wade, 41, has reached the semis on four separate occasions, with his last final four visit in 2022.
He admitted earlier this month the popular tournament can "ruin Christmas."
Wade told Sky Sports: "I enjoy it - ish. It's just Christmas though, isn't it?
"I don't want to be playing darts at Christmas.
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"I want to be at home. Yeah, it kind of ruins Christmas. You're robbed of Christmas.
"I've got young children now so I actually do like Christmas. I genuinely do like it. I love seeing their little faces and their little eyes light up."
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Wattimena has hit form late in 2024 and has now won 8 of his last 10 matches since early November.
The Dutchman was the runner-up at this year's European Championship after reaching his first-ever major television final.
He will now face either Wesley Plaisier or Peter Wright in the third round.
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Despite his early exit, Wade has enjoyed a strong 2024 after suffering a health scare two years ago.
He was rushed to hospital after falling ill at the European Open in Germany, with a racing heart and high blood pressure.
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Wade said before the tournament: "There is only one player who has been to more quarter-finals than me this year [Luke Humphries].
"My averages have increased and at times I’m probably playing some of the best darts I’ve ever played."
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