Cameron Menzies produced a massive upset to defeat 2024 champion Luke Humphries 10-7 at the World Matchplay on Monday night.
World No 2 Humphries took centre stage against one of the most entertaining and unpredictable players in the game in Menzies.
And it was the Scot who raised the Empress Ballroom roof with an inspired 170 checkout to stun the former world champion and seal his first win on the Winter Gardens stage.
Menzies produced a brilliant double-double 129 finish to lead Humphries 3-2, but 'Cool Hand' made it six consecutive breaks of throw with a magnificent 167 checkout to level straight after the first interval.
Menzies then went on a blistering four-leg burst to race into a 7-3 lead but could only win one out of the next five legs as Humphries went on a charge.
However, Menzies landed an inspired 170 checkout to cause a mighty shock as he set up a second-round clash with Ross Smith.
"No one gave me hope! I didn't give myself hope but I finally won a game at the Winter Gardens," said a delighted Menzies.
"Luke Humphries is a great guy, a great player. At 7-3 I was just trying not to think of that finishing line but the nerves kicked in. To beat Humphries, I know he will be disappointed. He gave me a lot of stress at doubles but that's my biggest win.
"I show a lot of emotion and I hate that I do that. I'm trying to keep myself intact. Try to keep myself composed because I know he was going to have a spell and batter me and he had a little spell but lucky enough I had that lead.
"I know that's not Humphries but I'll take it any day of the week."
"It's his best ever win, and he mentioned that," said Wayne Mardle, speaking to Your Site.
"With Cameron Menzies, everyone mentions his emotions, but it's the way he had to win that game.
"Nothing went according to plan. He was broken back early twice, that's up-and-down emotions. The high of breaking to being broken back.
"Then he went on a run, and got pegged back. There was a lot happening in that game, but he held it all together beautifully.
"Humphries had an amazing spell of four legs, but then Menzies found a level again, and that's something we don't see enough.
"What he should take away from tonight was the way he handled this situation. It was like he was there a million times before.
"He knows he can handle anything now."
Ross Smith came through a fantastic encounter as he defied a 104.19 average from debutant Kevin Doets - taking out 160 and a match-winning 120 - to reach the second round.
'Hawkeye' saved the match with a stunning 161 checkout but Smith held the Dutchman at arm's length.
After storming out of the gates to a 5-0 lead 'Smudger' kept his composure through a mid-session scrap before sealing victory - signing off with a spectacular 120 Shanghai finish.
Former World Matchplay finalist Gerwyn Price survived a huge scare against German No 1 Martin Schindler to book his spot in the second round.
'The Iceman' trailed 4-0 and 6-2 before roaring back and punishing Schindler for errors on the outer ring to win 11-9.
"It doesn't usually happen. Without the crowd, I would have lost today," admitted Price. "That was the worst I've played all season.
"It goes to show, throwing sheep about instead of darts about, it doesn't help! It was a tough one for me. I've got no confidence at the minute because I haven't played a lot.
"To battle through it. Martin was just as rubbish as me, thankfully.
"That was one I should have lost, but I've won and I'm still in the tournament - I can't be any worse!"
Price will take on Rob Cross next after 'Voltage' kicked off his campaign with a convincing 10-3 win over Danny Noppert.
The 2019 champion led 5-0 at the break and never relented, averaging 97.41, pinning a 128 checkout, and ending with an impressive 52.6 per cent on the doubles.
The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues at the iconic Winter Gardens from July 18-26, as a 32-player field compete for the prestigious Phil Taylor Trophy.
Two-time world champion Luke Littler takes on Nathan Aspinall in a blockbuster clash after .
Stephen Bunting takes on Josh Rock after winning through a Winter Gardens classic against debutant Niels Zonneveld, surviving three match darts to edge past the Dutchman 13-12.
Three-time World Matchplay winner Michael van Gerwen faces fellow Dutchman Dirk van Duijvenbode, while having recorded the eighth-highest average in World Matchplay history, averaging 109.96 in his 10-2 demolition of Ryan Joyce.
Who will win this year's World Matchplay Darts? Luke Littler will be defending his title and you can watch all the action on Your Site. .
