Jonny Clayton sensationally ended Michael van Gerwen’s five-year reign as champion on the opening night of the 2020 Ladbrokes Masters in Milton Keynes on Friday.<\/p>\n
Van Gerwen was previously undefeated in 20 games on the Marshall Arena stage, but Welsh number two Clayton’s superior doubling accuracy ensured the world number one’s campaign got off to the worst possible start.<\/p>\n
Clayton flew out of the traps, landing a 116 finish to open up a 3-0 lead, only for Van Gerwen – using a new set of darts – to wrestle his way back into the contest at 5-5.<\/p>\n
Not at his clinical best, Van Gerwen was unable to take a stranglehold on the game as Clayton won the next four legs, including a stunning 92 checkout using double 16 and double top, to go one away from victory at 9-5.<\/p>\n
2020 Ladbrokes Masters
\nFriday January 31
\nFirst Round
\nMichael Smith 10-6 Mensur Suljovic
\nNathan Aspinall 10-4 James Wade
\nJonny Clayton 10-6 Michael van Gerwen
\nAdrian Lewis 10-5 Rob Cross<\/p>\n
Saturday February 1 (1900 GMT)
\nFirst Round
\nDaryl Gurney v Dave Chisnall
\nGary Anderson v Ian White
\nPeter Wright v Joe Cullen
\nGerwyn Price v Simon Whitlock<\/p>\n
Sunday February 2
\nAfternoon Session (1245 GMT)
\nQuarter-Finals
\nAdrian Lewis v Michael Smith
\nJonny Clayton v Nathan Aspinall
\nPrice\/Whitlock v Anderson\/White
\nWright\/Cullen v Gurney\/Chisnall<\/p>\n
Evening Session (1900 GMT)
\nSemi-Finals
\nFinal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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