Robson ends Van Gerwen's dream at the Lakeside

World Championship favourite Michael van Gerwen's debut on the Lakeside stage ended in a shock 3-2 first-round defeat against Gary Robson.

The 17-year-old Dutchman had been expected to make a huge impact after a phenomenal 2006 which ended with him beating number one ranked Martin Adams in the Winmau World Masters final.

But Van Gerwen was the youngest player ever to compete in this tournament and amid such an intense atmosphere, it was felt in some quarters that inexperience could get the better of him.

That was what happened as Robson, who won the prestigious Bavaria World Trophy in 2005, triumphed in a thrilling deciding set which went to an eighth leg under the tie-break rule.

Although 'Mighty Mike' appeared to settle well, winning the opening leg against the darts, when he stepped up for his first leg with the throw he scored an embarrassing three single ones.

The first two sets were shared before Robson, from Northumberland, came from a long way back to break the throw and pinch the third for a 2-1 lead.

Instead of crushing his opponent's resolve, however, it seemed to inspire Van Gerwen and he raised his game to win every leg of set four to regain the momentum.

Nobody could gain a vital break of throw in the first seven legs of the decider, with the teenager distracted by a sponsor's logo on his shirt which he had to keep pushing back into place.

Robson had already missed a match dart before the eighth leg, but the 39-year-old worked his way into another winning position and this time closed it out on double four.

'When I was drawn against Michael I had a little snigger about it because he has been untouchable,' said Robson.

'Everyone was saying he was going to win and they were forgetting I won a little world championship (the Bavaria World Trophy) two years ago and that I'm capable of beating anyone.

'It was Michael's first time up there and I thought I would play seriously but also have a bit of fun.

'I tried some gamesmanship, like when he hit the three single ones I had a bit of a laugh with the crowd to try to get them on my side, but not too much [for it] to be bad sportsmanship.

'I would have been upset if I had been beaten tonight because I felt there was a lot more pressure on me than on Michael.'

Van Gerwen offered no excuses for his loss and admitted it had been purely down to his finishing, with double ten frequently costing him dear.

'It was not a good match for me - hopefully next time will be better,' he said. 'I must learn to hit my doubles.'

Meanwhile, Tony Eccles ensured all four north-east representatives made it through to round two - and he was the only seed among them.

The world number four took advantage of a highly disappointing display by quietly-fancied Welsh youngster Mark Webster, to progress without dropping a set.

It was only a second Lakeside victory in six appearances for Eccles, who now meets 2006 semi-finalist Shaun Greatbatch, a 3-1 winner against Paul Hogan.

'I was expecting a much tougher match,' said the Stockton player, on the eve of his 37th birthday.

'Mark didn't perform, and I know what it feels like because I've done the exact same thing. I don't know what happened to him - I feel really sorry for him.'

Martin Atkins, the 10th seed from Leeds, booked a second-round meeting with Nixon by whitewashing Gary Fenn - a 'lucky loser' from the qualifiers.