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Mighty Mike Closes In On Grand Prix Glory
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 5-1 Wez Newton
Michael van Gerwen booked his place in his first PDC major final after a brilliant performance saw him storm past Wez Newton at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on Saturday.
The Dutch darting sensation claimed a five sets to one victory against the European Championship runner-up, to go through to Sunday’s final, where he will compete for the £100,000 first prize. 
The players couldn’t be separated in the early exchanges with each of the first four sets going to deciding legs.
Both players took one of the first two sets, before ‘Mighty Mike’ kicked on, winning the next four to progress.
“It feels great,” said van Gerwen, whose Pro Tour title in Dublin on Saturday was his fourth of 2012.
“To get through to the final in a tournament like this, in a place like this, with a crowd like this is very special.
“It gives me a big confidence boost to play that well in a semi-final. I am very happy with my game.
“I’ve been working very hard for this and I’m so pleased to be in the final and I’m sure I can win this.”
‘Mighty Mike’ stamped his authority on the game from the off, starting with a 160 but a 180 followed by a brilliant 150 checkout gave Newton the first leg.
van Gerwen broke back before producing a fantastic finish of his own, taking out 136 to move a leg in front.
Newton levelled but it was the Dutchman that took the first set by cleaning up 48.
van Gerwen posted double eight to take the first leg of the second set, breaking his opponent’s throw, but ‘The Warrior’ levelled.
Newton took out 89 on the bull to hold before van Gerwen hit double four to set up a set decider, which the world number six won after ‘Mighty Mike’ took eleven darts to hit his starting double.
van Gerwen scored 174 to set up 16, which he took out to hold his throw in the set three opener.
Newton also held but the Dutch ace hit double twelve to regain the advantage.
The former World Master then hammered home his first 180 but Newton produced another stunning checkout, this time 152, to force a decider for the third consecutive set.
van Gerwen moved a set in front once more with a neat 104 finish.
He then hit a 177 in the first leg of the fourth set but was unable to break Newton’s throw.
‘Mighty Mike’ posted double ten to draw level before ‘The Warrior’ edged back in front.
van Gerwen once again made sure the set would go to a deciding leg, which the 23-year-old won, hitting double eight to open up a two set advantage.
The young Dutchman took the lead in the fifth set before doubling it with a 13 dart leg.
He then moved into a four sets to one lead, hitting double two to move a set away from the final.
van Gerwen grabbed a break of throw immediately in the sixth set before an 84 checkout sealed a fifth consecutive leg, leaving him needing just one more to progress.
His second maximum couldn’t prevent Newton from stopping the rot.
The Fleetwood flinger was only delaying the inevitable though, as ‘Mighty Mike’ took out 72 to reach his first televised final since winning the World Masters in 2006, aged 17.
van Gerwen will face either Brendan Dolan or Mervyn King in Sunday’s final.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Mighty Mike Deals Hammer Blow To Seal Semi Spot
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 3 – 2 Andy Hamilton
Michael van Gerwen won through to his first PDC major semi-final, after seeing off Andy Hamilton in a dramatic last leg decider at the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix in Dublin on Friday.
The Dutch sensation, who has won four Pro Tour titles this year, remains on course to win his first televised title since he triumphed in the World Masters six years ago, aged just 17. 
van Gerwen hit some impressive shots when under extreme pressure from the world number seven, but twice missed four match darts before finally sealing his place in the last four by breaking Hamilton’s throw in the decider.
‘Mighty Mike’ broke the throw immediately but three missed darts at double top allowed ‘The Hammer’ to level.
Hamilton took out 86 on the bull to edge ahead but van Gerwen squared up proceedings once more, with the aid of his first maximum.
The Dutchman punished his opponent for a missed dart a double 16, taking out 88 to win the first set.
Hamilton took the first two legs in the second set before van Gerwen posted double eight to reduce the deficit.
He then went off with a 160, as he levelled up with a break.
A second 180 from ‘Mighty Mike’ wasn’t enough to prevent Hamilton levelling the set count.
van Gerwen grabbed a break of throw in the opening leg of set three and he doubled his lead on double top.
‘The Hammer’ pulled a leg back but van Gerwen took the set with a 52 checkout.
The Dutch star’s third maximum helped him level the fourth set, after Hamilton had broken his throw.
The 2006 World Master just missed double 12 for a 141 finish, but edged back in front, and a leg away from victory, by posting double six.
Hamilton levelled the set and then kept the match alive with a stunning 160 finish, after van Gerwen had missed four darts to take the win.
The World Championship runner-up moved ahead in the deciding set but van Gerwen cleaned up 66 under pressure.
The 23-year-old then showed incredible composure to take out 115 for a timely break of throw.
van Gerwen, throwing for the match for the second time, once again missed four darts for a semi-final spot, as Hamilton stepped in to force a dramatic deciding leg.
But ‘Mighty Mike’ was not be denied, as he slotted in a 180 before hitting double two to book his place in the semi-finals.
The Dutchman will take on Wez Newton on Saturday, after ‘The Warrior’ came back from two sets down to defeat Paul Nicholson.
Mervyn King also progressed after he swept past Robert Thornton with a straight sets victory.
‘The King’ takes on Brendan Dolan in the last four.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
