World champion Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the 2017 German Darts Masters due to an ankle injury.
Van Gerwen has been struggling with bursitis in his left ankle but played his first round tie at the World Series of Darts event on Friday night, defeating Martin Schindler 6-2.
However, the injury has not recovered sufficiently overnight for MVG to compete in Saturday's final stages. Sky Bet have installed Gary Anderson as the new tournament favourite.
As a result, his scheduled quarter-final opponent James Wade now receives a bye into the semi-finals, with only three games now taking place in the afternoon session at the Castello Arena.
"Obviously I am devastated to pull out but as anyone could see last night my foot was in bad way," said Van Gerwen.
"On medical advice I have unfortunately decided to withdraw and now I am going to concentrate on getting it better for the rest of the year."
Saturday October 21
Afternoon Session (1400 local time, 1300 BST)
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
- Gary Anderson v Raymond van Barneveld
- Peter Wright v Mensur Suljovic
- Phil Taylor v Daryl Gurney
Evening Session (2015 local time, 1915 BST)
Semi-Finals (Best of 19 legs)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
- Anderson/Barney v Wright/Suljovic
- James Wade v Taylor/Gurney
Final (Best of 21 legs)
- Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2
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