PDC World Darts Championship 2026: Michael van Gerwen beats Mitsuhiko Tatsunami in first round

Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen struggled to a first-round victory over Japanese debutant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami at the PDC World Championship.

The 36-year-old Dutchman, who was beaten in last year’s final by Luke Littler, was a set and two legs down to Tatsunami.

But the world number three turned that set around and comfortably moved into a 2-1 lead.

Van Gerwen then won a nervy fourth set which went the distance, with Tatsunami missing several chances to take the match into a deciding set.

Meanwhile, poor finishing proved costly for Fallon Sherrock as she exited the tournament with a straight-set defeat by 21st seed Dave Chisnall.

Sherrock, who in December 2019 became the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship, hit just three of her 23 attempts at doubles.

She had four darts at double top in the third-set decider to force a fourth set but missed those opportunities and Chisnall made her pay.

Dutch 19th seed Jermaine Wattimena avoided an early exit as he came from behind to beat Germany’s Dominik Gruellich 3-2.

Debutants David Munyua of Kenya and Motomu Sakai of Japan reached the second round during Thursday’s afternoon session.