Gary Anderson was beaten in the final of the Champions League in Cardiff.
He lost 11-9 to Mensur Suljovic as the Austrian claimed his first TV title, but the Unicorn man had his chances and missed three darts to make it 10 apiece and force a deciding leg.
Suljovic then hit his favourite D14 to claim the title. In the final, Anderson led 3-1 before a run of five straight legs gave the Austrian the advantage. But the Scot hit back to level at six apiece and as the tension increased, they both managed to hold throw before Suljovic broke to win in that 20th leg.
Gary had lost to Suljovic in his opening group match but hit back to beat Dave Chisnall and then Peter Wright to qualify for the semi-finals. He survived an incredible EIGHT match darts to edge out Wright in a decider!
Anderson then demolished defending champion Phil Taylor 11-6 in the semi-finals but just couldn't hit the heights in the final. He will be disappointed because it was certainly there for the taking.
Meanwhile he will start his bid for the World Grand Prix title against qualifier Richard North in Dublin.
World Grand Prix 1st Round draw in full:
Michael van Gerwen (1) v John Henderson
Alan Norris v Justin Pipe
Raymond van Barneveld (8) v Kyle Anderson
Steve Beaton v Rob Cross
Dave Chisnall (5) v Jelle Klaasen
Robert Thornton v Kim Huybrechts
Adrian Lewis (4) v Daryl Gurney
Joe Cullen v Darren Webster
Gary Anderson (2) v Richard North
Simon Whitlock v Christian Kist
Michael Smith (7) v Gerwyn Price
Benito van de Pas v Cristo Reyes
Mensur Suljovic (6) v Ian White
Steve West v James Wade
Peter Wright (3) v Stephen Bunting
Mervyn King v Ronny Huybrechts
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Meanwhile Unicorn star Dimitri van den Bergh strengthened his grip on top spot in the PDC Unicorn Development Order of Merit. He reached the semi-finals of event 16 on Sunday before losing 5-3 to eventual winner Luke Humphries. He beat Ryan Meikles 5-1 in the final.
German Martin Schindler won event 15 with a 5-2 victory over young Dutch star Justin van Turnout.
But Van den Bergh sits on top of the table after winning one PDC Unicorn event on Saturday in Barnsley and losing in the final of the other.
Story by STUART PYKE
Photo courtesy Lawrence Lustig / PDC
