World Series of Darts Finals: Adrian Lewis and Mensur Suljovic beaten in round one
Adrian Lewis and Mensur Suljovic were big-name casualties on an opening night of upsets at the World Series of Darts Finals in Glasgow.
Two-time world champion, who recently underwent an operation on his back, was blown away by Max Hopp in the first round, going down 6-2.
The German raced into a 5-1 lead and while Lewis then went single 20, double 20, double 20 to reduce the deficit to three legs, he was powerless to prevent Hopp completing victory.
"That’s a big win for me, I’ve not shown myself at my best this year so hopefully that can help me to improve," said Hopp.
"I’m working hard and I know I can still achieve my goals and show everyone how good I can be."
Things don't get any easier for the 21-year-old, however. He'll face tournament favourite Michael van Gerwen in round two.
"Michael is the best player in the world and you always have to improve if you are going to beat him," added Hopp. "I have to be confident though and I believe I’ll be ready."
The in-form Suljovic, a recent winner of the Champions League of Darts, later joined Lewis through the exit door, losing six straight legs to little-known Chris Dobey.
The Austrian seemed set to ease through as he opened a 3-0 lead. But the world number 38 stormed back in fine fashion, finishing with a checkout percentage of 60 to his opponent's 30.
Dobey next faces top seed and mentor Gary Anderson.
"Gary and I are great friends off the board but you’ve got to put that to one side when you get up on stage," he said.
"Gary has been great to me and playing him in Scotland is going to be tough but I’m ready for it, I’ll just play my game and I’m looking forward to it."
Meanwhile, Dave Chisnall missed two match darts as he fell at the first hurdle, while Michael Smith also crashed out.
Chizzy led Justin Pipe 5-4 and had two darts at double 16 in the 10th leg to seal victory.
But he missed both and Pipe pounced, taking the leg against the thow and setting up a winner-takes-all deciding leg.
He missed an 80 outshot to win it, failing to nail double five, but Chisnall, who made the final of the Shanghai leg of the World Series in July, was unable to make him pay and Pipe returned to take his second chance and claim a place in the last 16 where he will play Peter Wright.
Smith was crushed 6-1 by Dimitri Van den Bergh, who averaged over 100 during the contest, but Australian Simon Whitlock saw off Mark Webster 6-3.
In-form Rob Cross avoided the chaos, seeing off Jonny Clayton 6-1.
Corey Cadby beat former Lakeside world champion Jelle Klaasen 6-3 - a 146 checkout from the Dutchman proving worthless - while Simon Stevenson defeated Jan Dekker by the same scoreline. They next face Gerwyn Price and James Wade respectively.
The eight seeds all received byes to round two which takes place on Saturday.
World Series of Darts Finals
First-round results
Simon Stevenson 6-3 Jan Dekker
Justin Pipe 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Max Hopp 6-2 Adrian Lewis
Michael Smith 1-6 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Corey Cadby 6-3 Jelle Klaasen
Mark Webster 3-6 Simon Whitlock
Chris Dobey 6-3 Mensur Suljovic
Jonny Clayton 1-6 Rob Cross
Second-round draw
Gary Anderson (1) v Chris Dobey
Gerwyn Price (8) v Corey Cadby
James Wade (5) v Simon Stevenson
Raymond van Barneveld (4) v Dimitri Van den Bergh
Michael van Gerwen (2) v Max Hopp
Kyle Anderson (7) v Rob Cross
Daryl Gurney (6) v Simon Whitlock
Peter Wright (3) v Justin Pipe