Gary Anderson's reaction to huge defeat by player who 'feared battering' sums him up

Gary Anderson was sent packing at the World Grand Prix as Mike De Decker produced a brilliant display to beat the two-time world champion 3-0 in Leicester

Gary Anderson showed class in defeat at the World Grand Prix after being ousted by Mike De Decker, who had feared a thrashing from the darts legend.

Despite toppling second seed Michael Smith earlier in the tournament, it was Anderson was was sent packing as De Decker stormed to a 3-0 win in Leicester, earning himself a quarter-final against James Wade.

The victory marked a significant milestone for the 28-year-old, who is in the last eight of a TV tournament for the first time. Straight after the match, the Flying Scotsman showed his sportsmanship by applauding De Decker, followed by a heartfelt hug between the pair, with level gesture earning praise from watching fans.

De Decker, who had previously beaten Damon Heta, admitted he hadn't felt optimistic about facing Anderson. Post-match, he chuckled as he confessed: "Honestly, I thought he was going to batter me.

"I was here four hours up front [before the match]. In the first two or three hours I wasn't hitting a thing. I was thinking, 'it can only go better from here'. I'm happy it did on stage."

He also touched on his past difficulties performing on the big stage, adding: "I've always had a problem playing on stage, but this week it seems to be clicking.

"I did the right things at the right moments. The 120 finish in the second set was massive. I think that decided the game."

On Friday night's match against a revitalised Wade, he said: "I just want to play well now. I'm not going to look too far ahead. Hopefully I can perform like I did tonight."

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Wade, who also triumphed 3-0 scoreline against fellow former Grand Prix champion Gerwyn Price, admitted: "I don't enjoy playing against Gezzy. It's tough playing against such a good friend. He's one of the nicest people in darts, alongside Jonny Clayton.

"I was good enough [to get the win] tonight. There were enough opportunities given to me and I took them, so I'm really happy to be back in the quarter-finals."

The other quarter-finals will feature Rob Cross versus Ryan Joyce, Joe Cullen against Dimitri Van den Bergh and world number one and defending champion Luke Humphries taking on Clayton.

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