MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 5-3 SCOTT WAITES

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN stunned reigning champion Scott Waites with a superb 5-3 victory in their opening Group A clash at the William Hill Grand Slam of Darts.

The 22-year-old produced some stunning darts to lead 4-0 before the defending champion forged his way back into the contest.

But Van Gerwen closed out the match to start the tournament in excellent style, finishing the game with an average of almost 102.

Van Gerwen came out of the blocks firing with a fantastic 11-dart finish to win the first leg which then followed up by a maximum and a clinical two-dart 96 finish - for the second time in the game - to double his lead.

The Dutch youngster then hit a 177 on the way to a 12-darter to take the third leg and the fourth soon followed to leave the defending champion 4-0 down.

Both players hit maximums in the fifth leg, which was won by Waites with an excellent 125 checkout to get himself on the scoreboard.

The sixth leg saw the Dutchman guilty of missing four darts at double top to close out the game and Waites stepped in to hit a 64 finish and keep the match alive.

Waites then won his third leg on the spin to increase the tension, but van Gerwen hit a third 180 of the match at a vital time in the eighth leg and returned to the oche to hit double ten and record an excellent win.

"I'm really happy," said van Gerwen. "I was delighted with how I started the game and although I missed a few doubles in the middle it's a great way to start. I'm in a good position now."