After his positive Corona test and the associated end at the Darts World Cup, Michael van Gerwen presented himself in frustration.

The 32-year-old Dutchman wrote on Twitter a few hours after his pandemic-related exit: “Really disappointed, confused, angry at how my World Cup ends.

I would never have expected this result. ”The third round match against the Englishman Chris Dobey was canceled without replacement, the opponent made it to the World Cup round of 16 without a fight.

Van Gerwen announced to his fans: "I will come back stronger!"

Before van Gerwen, his compatriots Vincent van der Voort and Raymond van Barneveld had already tested positive for the virus. Van der Voort therefore missed the game against the Englishman James Wade. Former world champion van Barneveld had previously been eliminated by Rob Cross. Despite the rapidly expanding Omikron variant, the Darts World Cup has so far been carried out without any restrictions. In the Alexandra Palace, full capacity utilization is permitted under 3G approval (vaccinated, recovered and negatively tested persons).

Former world champion Peter Wright turned 2-0 down on Tuesday evening and reached the round of 16. The Scot, nicknamed "Snakebite", won 4-2 over Australian Damon Heta after starting off very poorly. Wright came on stage with green-toned hair and a Christmas outfit with printed balls and candles.

Before Wright, the former world champion Rob Cross had bought his ticket for the round of 16. The Englishman prevailed 4-3 in a high-quality match against Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney and could face Scottish Gary Anderson in the round of 16. In the afternoon, the English co-favorite Joe Cullen was eliminated. In the afternoon he surprisingly lost 3: 4 to the Dutchman Martijn Kleermaker. The round of 16 begins this Wednesday evening (9:15 p.m. at Sport1 and DAZN).

It is the penultimate day of the World Cup in the darts year 2021. The massive reduction in the field from 32 to eight participants continues this Wednesday (1.30pm and 8pm at Sport1 and DAZN).

Are there any other short-term corona-related failures after van Gerwen's departure?

If not, the end of the third round and the start of the round of 16 with two strong Welsh players await.

Defending champion Gerwyn Price had to tremble against the Belgian Kim Huybrechts.

The Welsh muscleman only made the 3-2 win in the last and all-important leg perfect.

Now an even trickier task awaits Price: He will meet Dirk van Duijvenbode from the Netherlands, who works on an eggplant farm every day and could move up to the top 16 in the world after the World Cup.

It is the first real top game of this year's Darts World Cup.

Jonny Clayton, who defeated Gabriel Clemens 4-0 and has won four major major titles this season, faces the Englishman Michael Smith.

Welsh Clayton is number eight in the world and is aiming for a quarter-final duel with compatriot Price.

Smith is a former World Cup finalist and has played outstandingly throughout the tournament.

In a 3-1 win against Adrian Lewis, the Scot Gary Anderson not only won the duel between the former world champions, but also his World Cup opener in London.

On Wednesday (8 p.m.) the duel with the Englishman Ian White is on the program.

When they meet at the end of the third round, "The Flying Scotsman", as Anderson is called, is the favorite.