Darts: What next for Raymond van Barneveld after yet another disappointment?

Raymond van Barneveld toiled and was eventually beaten by James Richardson

Raymond van Barneveld suffered one of the biggest upsets in PDC history yesterday with a 3-0 World Championship first round loss to virtual unknown James Richardson, and must surely be asking questions of his darts future.

Going into the tournament, the signs were good.

The lack of belief which has blighted him over recent years was thought to be gone, while he had gone back to the darts which won him the 2007 World Championship.

He started with a 180 and checked out on 130 in the opening leg, and there was seemingly no chance of him slipping up.

Barney then began to falter though and played like a drain for the remainder of the first set, with Richardson punishing him and securing a checkout of 145 in the process.

145 is a number Barneveld is unlikely to forget in a hurry.

After he lost the second set with more slack darts, he seemed certain to take the third and pile the pressure on Richardson.

Like the first set, he took a 2-0 lead in legs, but Richardson fought back to 2-1 and then took out another 145 to put himself in a position to throw for the match.

By now, Barney was missing doubles and two more missed darts at double eight let Richardson in to seal a famous triumph.

Richardson said he always believed he would defeat Barneveld

He took out 41 in two darts for Barney's first ever defeat at the first round stage, and enormous credit must be given to him for playing his own game and showing no nerves on the big stage.

Richardson walked out to 'Vindaloo' before the match and seemed determined to grab his big opportunity, and he never lost the belief he was capable of beating the five-time world champion.

If Barney had been at his best though, he would have steamrollered Richardson.

So much of Barneveld's troubles are in his head and once he falls behind, he finds it extremely difficult to find the belief and fight to get back into the game.

He has gone back to his old darts but still showed doubts by changing his flights after the second set, and it seems doubtful he will ever overcome his mental problems.

Barneveld is still a crowd favourite, his 'Barney Army' still turn out in force, but he is no longer producing the goods.

Everyone would love to see him back at his best but the longer his drought goes on for, the more difficult it will be for him to regain the belief.

He is now likely to drop to an unthinkable 13 or 14 in the world and such a slip may even lead to him contemplating retirement.

Nobody wants to see Barney walk away from the game but he doesn't seem to be enjoying playing competitive darts anymore.

Perhaps a break from the game will do him good. He certainly needs to do something.

No darts fan wants to see him retire as he still has so much to offer, but crushing 3-0 defeats like this make it a much more realistic prospect. How many more disappointments can Barney cope with?

As for Richardson, he progresses to face the impressive Belgian Kim Huybrechts, who beat Brendan Dolan 3-0.

Dolan's exploits in the World Grand Prix appear a long time ago now and Huybrechts fully deserved his convincing victory.

Dave Chisnall will play Phil Taylor, and this could be the biggest test Taylor will face in the entire tournament.

Chisnall should provide a real test for Taylor

Chisnall was excellent in beating Mark Dudbridge 3-0 despite missing doubles, and could give Taylor a real run for his money.

If Chisnall can sort out his doubles, he could be a major contender to not only beat Taylor but also win the entire tournament as his scoring power is extraordinary.

Steve Beaton overcame Magnus Caris - with the help of the crowd - on Saturday, but knows he will have to play much better to progress any further.

If it wasn't for the crowd booing Caris and putting him off while shooting for doubles, the Swede would have probably waltzed off with a 3-0 victory so Beaton is extremely lucky to have survived.

Vincent van der Voort also got past a very tricky opponent in Mark Hylton, and could go on a real run in the competition now he is past that tough test.

van der Voort has the fans on his side thanks to his walk-on tune, and his quick style and power scoring will cause any player problems.

The 'bad boy of darts', Paul Nicholson, also safely made his way into round two with a nervy win over unorthodox Mensur Suljovic, although he will have to improve if he is to challenge for the title at Alexandra Palace.

Barney's defeat is the main talking point of the tournament so far though, and he joins Mark Webster as one of the high profile casualties before Christmas.

Barneveld's future in darts is now being questioned but he could be brilliant again if he believed in himself.

He is one of the best players ever and he must not let his talent go to waste.