- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Thornton, Wade fall early
- Updated: October 3, 2016
Defending champion Robert Thornton and James Wade both suffered first round defeats at the World Grand Prix in Dublin.
The Scotsman defeated Michael van Gerwen to win last year’s trophy, but his title defence is already over following an opening defeat to Stephen Bunting, while sixth seed Wade also departed following a surprise loss to Terry Jenkins.
But second seed Gary Anderson, third seed Adrian Lewis and Raymond van Barneveld are all safely through after claiming victories on night one of the tournament at the Citywest Hotel.
Thornton seemed to be playing like a champion when he quickly compiled the first set, including a 125 on tops, but Bunting started the second set with a 105 checkout and soon forced a decider.
A fourth maximum kept the St Helens man in charge of the third set and he picked out …
