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Michael van Gerwen produced a brilliant fightback to clinch his first PDC major title with a fantastic victory over Mervyn King in the final of the World Grand Prix in Dublin on Sunday.

The Dutchman, who has won four Pro Tour titles this year, trailed ‘The King’ by four sets to one, before storming back to win five on the spin to take the £100,000 crown.

“This is the best day of my life,” said ‘Mighty Mike’, whose triumph sees him leap 17 places up the PDC order of merit to eighth.

“To win this tournament is an amazing achievement for me, but to do it in a game like that makes it even more special.

“Mervyn is a fantastic player and he made it really hard for me but even at four one down, I knew I could go on a run.

“That’s exactly what happened and I was over the moon when that last dart went in.

“No match is ever over until the last double is hit and I have lived by that all week. I’m so proud and so happy to win this tournament.”

van Gerwen looked to have got in to his stride straight away, scoring 170 to set up double eight to take the opening leg.

But King took three legs in a row to win the first set.

King held his throw in the first leg of the second set before van Gerwen’s second 180 helped him draw level.

The former Premier League star reeled off the next two legs though, opening up a two set cushion.

King moved two legs clear in set three, with fine finishes of 102 and 93, but ‘Mighty Mike’ hit back by hitting double 16, after setting it up with 159.

It didn’t prevent King from taking a third consecutive set however, as he produced a brilliant 152 checkout to get half way to the finishing line.

van Gerwen managed to break his opponent’s throw for the first time in the opening leg of the fourth set, before doubling his lead on double eight.

The Dutchman then slotted in a fourth 180 but King took out 120 to keep the set alive.

‘Mighty Mike’ did the same in terms of the match, hitting double eight to reduce King’s set lead to three one.

The 23-year-old quickly took the first two legs in the fifth set, posting double top on both occasions.

But he missed three darts for the set, allowing ‘The King’ to force a deciding leg.

It looked like it would be a pivotal one when van Gerwen missed three darts at double eight, leaving King to clean up 48 to restore a three set lead.

The Dutch star took out 75 to break King’s throw, before holding with a neat 87 finish.

He completed a clean sweep, hitting double tops after a 160 start, to reduce his opponent’s lead to 4-2.

van Gerwen moved ahead in the seventh set, winning a leg that included a bull, bull, 25 party piece before bedding double top.

He then took out 92 for a break of throw before truly announcing his presence in the final with a brilliant 131 checkout to close the gap to a single set.

‘Mighty Mike’ took a seventh leg on the spin and missed eight darts to make it eight in a row.

King stopped the rot by hitting double 16 but a third consecutive break of throw took van Gerwen a leg away from levelling up the match.

And he did exactly that, hitting double twelve to effectively make it a race to two sets for the £100,000 title.

‘The King’ hit double four to break and edge back in front, before moving two legs ahead in the ninth set, in a leg where both players hit 180s, which King followed up with a 117 checkout.

‘Mighty Mike’ bedded double eight to stay in the set and then hit double twelve to level it.

The young Dutch sensation then hit tops to take the lead for the first time since the very first leg of the match, moving a set away from victory in the process.

He broke King’s throw in the first leg of the tenth set before a fine 79 finish put him within a leg of victory.

Ever the showman, van Gerwen became champion in style, saving his highest finish of the match, a sensational 145 checkout, for the final leg.

The Dutch star, who is now the highest ranked player from his homeland after leapfrogging Raymond van Barneveld, will now turn his attentions to next month’s Grand Slam of Darts and the World Championships in December.

He added: “At the start of this year I was ranked 38th in the world. Now I am eighth and that is a dream for me.

“Raymond is a fantastic player so to go above him really is something special and I’m proud of it.

“Now I know how to win a major like this, I know I can win anything and I’m looking forward to going into the Grand Slam full of confidence and I’ll take it from there.

“Today is about winning my first PDC major. When I won the World Masters in the BDO that was a brilliant achievement but this really is the best day of my life.”

By Chris Murphy

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Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen and Mervyn King are both bidding to win their first major PDC title after impressive PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix semi-final victories in Dublin on Saturday.

van Gerwen stormed past world number six Wez Newton, while King saw off the challenge of crowd favourite Brendan Dolan at the Citywest Hotel.

The pair, both former World Masters in their BDO days, will battle it out for the £100,000 title on Sunday evening.

‘Mighty Mike’ shared the first two sets with Newton in a close opening to the match.

The Dutch ace then took the next two sets, both on deciding legs, before winning six of the last seven to seal the victory, posting a brilliant 95.04 average in the process.

“It feels amazing,” admitted van Gerwen, who defeated Colin Lloyd, Adrian Lewis and Andy Hamilton before his last four triumph.

“I am so happy to be in my first PDC major final, especially in a very hard tournament like this.

“Tonight was my best performance so far and I hope I can continue to play like this in what is a massive match tomorrow.”

King will take on the 23-year-old star after he ended Northern Irishman Dolan’s run with a 5-2 success.

‘The King’ hit back from two legs down to win the first set, silencing the home crowd.

He took the second set 3-1 but Dolan halved his lead, winning set three with a brilliant 170 checkout.

King restored his two set lead though and then increased his advantage by winning a deciding leg in the fifth set.

He then missed four match darts in the sixth set decider, granting last year’s runner up a stay of execution.

But the former Premier League finalist produced fantastic finishes of 108 and 132 to complete a terrific victory.

“I’ve put a lot of hard work in so I’m delighted it’s finally paying off,” said King.

“It’s going to be a very hard game against Michael. He is playing incredibly well at the moment and he deserves to be there.

“Obviously when we go on stage tomorrow I’ll want him to lose, but thats darts.

“Reaching the final has got me into the Grand Slam and put me back in the top sixteen so the hard work really has payed off.”

By Chris Murphy

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Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

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

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Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

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

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen and Paul Nicholson progressed in to the quarter-finals of the PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix, after both claimed impressive wins at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on Thursday.

van Gerwen eliminated bookies favourite Adrian Lewis with a 3-1 victory over the world number two, while Nicholson triumphed over Colin Osborne by the same scoreline.

‘Mighty Mike’ produced a mature performance to see off the below par Lewis, following on from his first round success over Colin Lloyd.

The Dutch ace, whose excellent form in 2012 has seen him clinch four Pro Tour titles, will take on Andy Hamilton on Friday evening for a place in the semi-finals.

“This is a massive step for me,” admitted van Gerwen, who has been installed as the favourite to win his first PDC major title.

“I am over the moon to beat the World Champion and to reach another TV quarter-final.

“I have been practising hard and playing a lot of games. My wins on the Pro Tour have given me a lot of confidence and if I keep up my form, I could win this.”

Nicholson will face Wez Newton in the last eight, after ‘the Asset’ cruised to a comfortable victory over Colin Osborne.

The 2010 Players Championship Finals winner, who had seen off Michael Mansell in the first round, put on another solid display as he reached his first televised quarter-final since the World Cup back in February.

Friday evening sees the four quarter-finals take place, with UK Open winner Robert Thornton and Mervyn King, who progressed on Wednesday evening, going head to head as they bid to reach the last four.

Friday October 12 (7pm-11pm)
Quarter-Finals – (MODUS associated players in bold)
Justin Pipe v Brendan Dolan
Wes Newton v Paul Nicholson
Michael van Gerwen v Andy Hamilton
Robert Thornton v Mervyn King

Click here for the full match report on Paul Nicholson’s second round victory over Colin Osborne.

Click her for the full match report on Michael van Gerwen’s second round victory over Adrian Lewis.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN 3 – 1 Adrian Lewis

Michael van Gerwen claimed an impressive victory over two-time and reigning World Champion Adrian Lewis, as he progressed into the quarter-finals of the World Grand Prix in Dublin.

The young Dutch star kept his hopes of collecting his first PDC major title alive, with a terrific triumph over tournament favourite ‘Jackpot’ in their first ever televised meeting.

“I’m very happy to beat the World Champion,” said van Gerwen, who has won four floor events this year.

“It is a big step for me and I’m over the moon to be in another TV quarter-final.

“Winning the Pro Tour events has given me a lot of confidence and I’m starting to take my form to the stage.

“This is the most difficult tournament of the year but if I continue my game, I hope I can win it.”

van Gerwen took the first leg, before almost producing a party piece on the way to doubling his lead.

The Dutch sensation hit two bullseyes but just missed double 16 in an audacious attempt at a 132 checkout.

He cleaned up the remaining 16 though, and wrapped up the set on double top in the following leg.

Lewis then quickly took three legs on the spin to level the set count at one apiece.

‘Mighty Mike’ hit double nine to take the first leg of the third set.

He then went off with a 160, but it wasn’t enough to break the Lewis throw.

van Gerwen took out 64 to edge back in front before grabbing a crucial break, bedding double four to take a two sets to one lead.

The World Champion pulled of a show-stopping 170 finish in the opening leg of the fourth set.

‘Mighty Mike’ responded with a neat 90 checkout but Lewis posted double 16 to move ahead in the set.

van Gerwen took out 60 to level and then took the set and the match on double 16.

The 23-year-old, who has now been installed as the favourite for the £100,000 title, takes on Andy Hamilton on Friday for a place in the last four.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

James Wade has issued a message of thanks for the outpouring of support he has received in the last 48 hours.

The world number three, whose mental health issues have been well documented in recent years, was visibly unsettled during his World Grand Prix defeat against Colin Osborne on Tuesday evening.

Wade, who immediately flew back to the UK, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, clinical depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when he was admitted to The Priory Clinic in 2010.

He has continued to receive the necessary treatment to combat his illnesses ever since.

“I want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all of my fans and everyone who has supported me, especially since Tuesday,” said Wade, after online fan pages and social media sites were flooded with messages of concern and support.

“I am home now and getting the right help so I can focus on getting myself right for the remainder of the season.”

Michael van Gerwen believes that Thursday’s PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix match against Adrian Lewis could be ‘something special’.

The in-form Dutch star has produced some electrifying performances in 2012, including a sensational nine-dart finish at the World Matchplay in July.

After seeing off seeing off Colin Lloyd on Monday evening, van Gerwen faces two-time and reigning World Champion Lewis for a place in the quarter-finals of the Dublin tournament, with the fast-throwing pair meeting for the first time on TV.

“I’m really looking forward to playing Adrian,” said ‘Mighty Mike’, whose impressive form has seen him win four PDC Pro Tour titles this year.

“I’ve never played him on stage before but it’s an exciting prospect.

“He is a fast player and I am too. If we both take our best game up there then it could be really special for the crowd and for TV.

“He is a top player. You do not become World Champion twice without being a brilliant dart player but my form is good and I’m feeling confident.”

van Gerwen and ‘Jackpot’ are expected to be on stage at around 9.30pm, with the winner taking on either Andy Hamilton or Steve Beaton in Friday’s quarter-finals.

By Chris Murphy

***SPECIAL OFFER – Silver tickets for The Untouchables, Eastbourne on Friday 19 October are TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE – Click here for more details***

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Robert Thornton triumphed in a sensational PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix battle with ten-time winner Phil Taylor at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on Wednesday.

The pair both produced top quality performances in a classic dual, which saw Thornton prevail in a dramatic deciding leg.

The Scotsman, who also inflicted defeat on the world number one last time they met – in the final of the UK Open in June – shocked ‘The Power’ again, as he progressed into the quarter-finals.

‘The Thorn’ hit an incredible eight 180s on his way to a three sets to two triumph over the 15-time World Champion.

Both players averaged above 95, which is remarkably high in the unique double-start format, but it was Thornton who once again eliminated tournament favourite Taylor, who was punished for missing five match darts.

“Phil missed a few doubles but I never gave in,” said Thornton, who has now won 15 out of 16 matches in Dublin since Saturday, after reaching both finals of the weekend’s Pro Tour events, winning one.

“I’m playing really well at the moment and it’s all down to practice.

“I’m really focused and I have had great belief in myself since winning the UK Open.”

Thornton, who clinched his first PDC major title with his Bolton victory earlier this year, now faces Mervyn King in his quest for a second televised triumph.

King stormed past Dave Chisnall with an impressive display, in which he was particularly sharp on his starting doubles.

‘The King’ fired in four 180s on the way to a 3-1 success over Chisnall, to set up a last eight clash with Thornton, which will take place on Friday evening.

“It’s nice to be playing well again and I’m getting closer to my best game,” said King.

“I’ve been hitting my best in practice in the last few days, along with a couple of nine-darters.

“Robert has got back to his best during this year and maybe I’ll get there this week because it’s been a long while since I’ve been in a major quarter-final.”

Vincent van der Voort was unable to progress further than the last 16 stage, however, the Dutchman lost out to 2011 runner-up Brendan Dolan.

Thursday night sees the completion of the second round with Paul Nicholson taking on Colin Osborne and Michael van Gerwen facing two-time and reigning World Champion Adrian Lewis.

By Chris Murphy

Read the full match report on Robert Thornton’s sensational victory over Phil Taylor here.

Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC

Michael van Gerwen made a strong start to his PartyPoker.com World Grand Prix campaign in Dublin, where Paul Nicholson also progressed into the last 16 on Tuesday evening.

van Gerwen booked his place in round two after producing an impressive fightback against 2004 winner Colin Lloyd. 

The Dutch star, who fell a set behind, threatened a nine-darter at one point, hitting six perfect darts in the leg that won him the second set.

He then won all three legs in the decider, taking out 101 to seal the victory.

van Gerwen now faces the mouthwatering prospect of a dual with World Champion Adrian Lewis on Thursday evening.

“I am pleased to get through the first game as Colin was always going to be a tough opponent,” said ‘Mighty Mike’.

“I can’t ever remember playing Adrian on TV but I am on form and he is a top player and we are both fast players.

“If we both bring our best games it will be great news for the crowd and viewers.”

Nicholson swept past Michael Mansell with a straight sets triumph.

‘The Asset’ produced a authoratitive display, showing real sharpness on doubles at both the beginning and end of most legs.

The Australian, who reached the final of the World Cup earlier in 2012, faces Colin Osborne on Thursday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Mark Webster suffered a first round defeat at the hands of Andy Hamilton, while James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld were also condemned to early exits.

Wade lost out to Osborne, before ‘Barney’ was beaten by the impressive Ian White.

By Chris Murphy

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Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC