Since its conversion into a 64-man event, the first round of the PDC World Championship has consistently thrown up a number of upsets and surprises with some of the world's best players falling victim to a lesser-known opponent.

The opening night of this year's tournament continued that trend as Wes Newton suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to Spain's Cristo Reyes, a player who had never competed in the PDC before last night, and 30th seed and three-time world champion John Part also making his exit after being beaten by Keegan Brown.

Below, Sports Mole takes a look at five upsets that have taken place in recent years.

1. Terry Jenkins vs. Kirk Shepherd

By entering the tournament as the fourth seed, Terry Jenkins was expected to have a prolonged run at Alexandra Palace at the 2008 event, and the Worcestershire thrower would have been delighted when being handed a first-round tie with world number 142 Kirk Shepherd, who was making his televised debut after progressing through the PDPA qualifier.

However, the dream draw for Jenkins quickly turned into a nightmare as he wasted seven match darts to beat Shepherd before succumbing in the final set. Jenkins's average of 83.62 was 15 points below his best but with Shepherd averaging less than 80, this remains as one of the worst performances of Jenkins's career.

Shepherd would go on to have a fairytale run to the final, beating the likes of Peter Manley and Wayne Mardle along the way before being outclassed by John Part 7-2 in the final.

2. John Part vs. Bill Davis

The following year, Part started his defence of his third world crown with a match against American Bill Davis, a former computer engineer who was making just his second appearance at the PDC World Championship.

Like Jenkins in 2008, Part possessed the fourth-seed status and although he produced five maximums during the second set, he was generally below his best and the underdog fully deserved his 3-0 victory.

Davis would lose out to Barrie Bates in the last 32 in a match that proved to be his final appearance at Alexandra Palace.

3. Wayne Mardle vs. Jyhan Artut

At his peak, Wayne Mardle was one of the most exciting players in the sport but during 2009, a bout of mumps during the Premier League derailed his ambitions for the year and heading into the 2010 World Championship, he was desperately short of form as he attempted to remain near the world's top 16.

Standing in the way of the Essex thrower was Germany's Jyhan Artut, who was making his debut at the event. It appeared as though Mardle had been handed a favourable draw but in the opening match of the tournament, he never settled and an average of just 72 saw him promptly defeated by the newcomer.

Mardle remained on the PDC Tour and qualified for the next two UK Opens, but this turned out to be his final match at the World Championship after deciding to retire from the sport to become a commentator with Sky Sports.

4. Raymond van Barneveld vs. James Richardson

Ever since winning his fifth world title in 2007, Raymond van Barneveld has strived to add another to the collection but as the years have ticked by, inconsistent displays from the Dutchman have seen him fall short during the latter stages of tournaments.

However, Van Barneveld would have expected little danger when facing debutant James Richardson in the opening round of the 2012 event, but in what is widely considered to be the biggest shock in the tournament's history, Richardson outperformed the former world number one to run out a convincing 3-0 victor.

Despite the win, Richardson has been unable to establish himself in the top 64 of the PDC Order of Merit, and he will need to go to Q-School in January in an attempt to reclaim his tour card.

5. Terry Jenkins vs. Per Laursen

After suffering defeat in the first round earlier in his career, Jenkins was aware that he couldn't avoid any complacency when going up against experienced Dane Per Laursen in the last 64 of the 2014 tournament.

Jenkins found himself having to come from a set behind on two occasions to take the match into a deciding set and when he hit a nine-dart leg, the momentum appeared to be with 'the Bull'.

However, missed doubles cost Jenkins and Laursen capitalised by taking the final two legs to secure a famous win before losing 4-2 to eventual finalist Peter Wright in the second round.