Raymond van Barneveld sunk by Swiss star Stefan Bellmont at PDC worlds

The five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld was left stunned after falling to a straight sets defeat by Switzerland’s Stefan Bellmont in their first-round clash at Alexandra Palace.

Bellmont produced the performance of his career to become the first Swiss player win a match at the World Darts Championship. The 36-year-old from Cham hopes that his success will inspire a wave of darts enthusiasts in his home country.

“I have no words for this. I’m proud of myself. This is a great experience for all Swiss people. Hopefully we will get more Swiss people playing darts,” he said.

Raymond van Barneveld cuts a forlorn figure as he leaves the stage. Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA

James Wade, the world No 7 who is a four-time semi-finalist at Alexandra Palace, brushed aside Japan’s Ryusei Azemoto in straight sets. Wade dropped just one leg and now faces Ricky Evans in round two.

“That was more luck than judgment – thankfully he got more nervous than I did,” Wade said. “I made the most of my opportunities. Textbook. I haven’t won a game for three years, so I had put a lot of pressure on myself. I’m just happy to win and move forward.”

The night’s action began with the American Adam Sevada overcoming Canada’s Matt Campbell 3-1 and ended with German 13th seed Martin Schindler beating England’s Stephen Burton by the same score.