Darts
News
After a few indifferent months, Michael van Gerwen returned to something like his best at the World Grand Prix – a tournament he dominated
Van Gerwen is a five-time double-start single format champion, he’s undefeated since a first-round loss to John Henderson in 2017, so it’s perhaps no surprise that he found his best form in the comfort cover of the Grand Prix
And it’s no coincidence, as he said after his victory over Devon Petersen in the second round on Thursday night
« I’ve put a lot of work into my game over the past few weeks and I think it works. You never lose your ability, but you have to make sure your focus is correct, » said the world number 1. p>
Live
Van Gerwen’s blip must be put into perspective, he has always won the UK Open and two Pro Tour titles this year, but he dominated a lot more
Early exits to the Premier League, another tournament he has won five times, and World Series of Darts finals follow a second round exit from World Matchplay
The man who sent him to pack his bags in Milton Keynes was Simon Whitlock, so maybe it’s fitting for Van Gerwen to remember his best, it will be the Australian who will be in front of him on Saturday night as the duo fight for a place in the last four
MvG has had a glint in his eyes all week, playfully teasing Wayne Mardle about his coaching relationship with Petersen, then bracing for revenge on the wizard
« Simon is a good player but I owe him one after the World Matchplay I have to make sure I play with the same intensity and the same confidence I feel comfortable and I can bet on that », a- he added
« I did the damage at the right times, but Devon also played a good game
« It was tight but no matter how you win as long as you win Devon is probably in the shape of his life and he’s playing with a lot of confidence, and I’m happy with my performance He’s a good guy and a good player, but he needs to know who’s boss! «
On the eve of the event, Van Gerwen told Sky Sports how he worked hard to make things right, but still how he kept things in perspective A young family has priority for the Dutchman, but there is a tournament to be won and he is focused on the case at hand as he aims for a sixth title at the event which would make it the event that ‘he won more than any other other
« The crowd gives you a lot of energy and you want to give them something back – but this is a big tournament for us and we all want to win here, everyone is fighting for that »
The nature of the World Grand Prix, which starts in doubles and ends in a shorter game means that Van Gerwen was pushed in both matches despite his high averages and above all a convincing score against Petersen
Mardle has no doubts that MvG is returning to his best form, highlighting the Dutchman’s performance at key moments against Petersen when he punished the South African’s missed stopped darts before crossing the finish line
« It was 3-0 against Devon but if I felt any closer than that You could see that in the elation and how excited Michael was – he held it together when Devon couldn’t »
The last few days in Coventry have seen a return to old swashbuckling Van Gerwen, not only in his performances, but in the arena and in his press conferences He hopes this will continue when eight turns into four on Saturday night at the stage quarter-finals
Darts is back on Sky Sports in October with the World Grand Prix and Premier League Play-Offs Follow us @SkySportsDarts to stay up to date with all the news
© 2020 Sky France
Professional Darts Corporation, World Grand Prix, Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Gary Anderson, Joe Cullen, Dave Chisnall, Simon Whitlock
World news – UK – World Grand Prix 2020 : Michael van Gerwen faces Simon Whitlock in quarter-finals