The World Indoor Bowls Championships open pairs quarter-finals began ©Getty Images

Defending open pairs champions Darren Burnett and Stewart Anderson suffered a quarter-final defeat at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in England.

The Scottish duo were hoping to replicate their triumph from 2016, but their challenge came to a surprise halt at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk.

Burnett and Anderson were surprised by their compatriot David Gourlay and England’s Mervin King.

A strong display from Gourlay and King saw them emerge as 7-3, 5-4 winners in the contest to earn a semi-final spot.

They could face three-time winners Alex Marshall and Paul Foster of Scotland, with the duo set to take on Wales’ Jason Greenslade and Les Gillett of England.

The semi-final line-up in the open doubles will be decided tomorrow ©Getty Images
The semi-final line-up in the open doubles will be decided tomorrow ©Getty Images

The remaining two quarter-finals will take place tomorrow, with the contests due to include Damian Doubler and Daniel Salmon of Wales.

It comes after they defeated Andy Thomson and Mark Royal of England 9-6, 4-4 in their first round tie today.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow, with quarter-final action set to be the focus of the crowd’s attention.