James Wade bowed out of the Grand Slam on Thursday after a hugely disappointing defeat to Daryl Gurney.
The Unicorn man will head home with much to ponder after losing 10-2 to the Irishman. At one leg apiece, he was in the match but after that 'The Machine' was ground down.
With the Players Championship Finals followed by the big one at the Alexandra Palace, Wade knows he has a lot of work to do.
Gurney won six legs on the spin to open up a 7-1 advantage and there was no coming back from that. A 14 darter and 70 check-out stopped the rot but Wade was struggling for any rhythm throughout.
He missed two darts at D18 for a 96 finish and Gurney mopped up again. The World No.4 eventually won it on D1 with his seventh match dart after Wade missed more opportunities.
Wade averaged only 90 and it is back to the practice board. He has immense talent and ability. He needs to find the magic touch ahead of the World Championship.
Thursday 2nd Round results:
Daryl Gurney 10-2 James Wade
Phil Taylor 10-4 Darren Webster
Michael van Gerwen 10-3 Steve Lennon
Rob Cross 10-7 Raymond van Barneveld
Friday Q/Finals:
Gary Anderson v Mensur Suljovic
Peter Wright v Glen Durrant
By STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
