World No 3 Peter Wright knocked out of Darts Championship by unknown Toni Alcinas
The 48-year-old lost 3-1 to the Spaniard at Alexandra Palace in the biggest upset of the tournament so far
PETER WRIGHT may have dressed up like Santa Claus but his Christmas is now ruined.
Snakebite became the highest-ranked player to depart the William Hill PDC World Darts Championship as he was shocked 3-1 by car mechanic Toni Alcinas.
It is the first major upset of this year’s tournament and opens up the bottom half of the draw, allowing a surprise name to make a potential run to the final.
No.3 seed Wright had arrived at Ally Pally dressed in a red-and-white outfit and with a Santa hat inked on to the side of his head.
But there was no festive cheer for the Scot as the Spaniard moved into the third round for the second successive year.
Mallorca’s Alcinas, 39, jumped on a 7am flight today from the UK and then returned straight to work.
He said: “My feeling is different from the first round. I played well, it was not Peter’s best day.
“I’m really happy because it is the first time I beat Peter Wright and I’ve played him maybe five or six times and always lost. Today was my day, I’m really happy.
“Peter kept coming back. 180 and 137 for me is good.
“The biggest win for me was the World Cup win with my friend Carlos Rodriguez in 2010. But this is my second best win.
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“I love you now, the fans, but when I came back it was Peter, Peter, Peter.
"Alexandra Palace is incredible.”
Wright, the 2014 world finalist, was under the pump from the opening exchanges as he fell 2-0 down in legs.
He showed his class and talent with a superb 167 on the bull for a break of throw.
But in the fifth leg, Alcinas stunned Wright with a 109 checkout to move 1-0 ahead in sets.
At this stage, Wright had only hit two of his 11 doubles, and that wastefulness would be punished by most players, let alone a ProTour qualifier.
Alincas could sense Wright was vulnerable, he moved 2-0 ahead, and then secured the sensational victory in the fourth set with double 16.
It is yet another blow for Wright at world level, given that 12 months ago he departed early following a period of illness.
Wright, 48, has now lost in the second round for two years running, and he said: "I had actually felt better than I had done all year. But he hit scores and that is it.
"I did not score well enough early on and that is why I am out.
"I still have my confidence, you watch me next year. Trust me."
