MvG ends wait for title at PDC Super Series
Michael van Gerwen finally ended a 340 day drought for a ranking title on day two of the final PDC Super Series.
After coming close on multiple occasions this year, The Green Machine got over the line 8-5 against Nathan Aspinall to win Players Championship 29, in a fantastic final where both averaged over 102.
It’s his second title of the year, after beating Fallon Sherrock to win the Nordic Darts Masters in September.
Mighty Mike rules in Barnsley
When he beat Mervyn King to win the Players Championship Finals last November, few, least of all MvG, thought he’d have to wait so long to pick up his next ranked title.
After defeating Boris Krcmar, Peter Hudson and Andy Boulton, he survived a last leg decider against Brendan Dolan to reach the last eight. He then hit a 107.2 average to come through Krzysztof Ratajski, before a 7-3 semi final win over Heta saw him into the final.
MvG was joined by Aspinall, looking to win his first event of the year as well. Wins against Carl Wilkinson, Sean Fisher, Steve Beaton and Jose De Sousa got him to the quarter finals. He then hit a 109.23 average to defeat Ryan Searle, before hitting another ton plus average to beat William O’Connor in the last four.
The Asp started the better in the final, finding three straight 13 dart legs after Van Gerwen held in the opener to go 3-1 in front. An 11 darter from MvG closed the gap to one, before the Dutchman pounced on missed darts from the former UK Open Champion in the sixth leg, eventually cleaning up 25 to level the contest at 3-3.
26 darts later, the three time World Champion went 5-3 up, before Aspinall broke in the ninth leg with a 14 darter to get the game back on throw. However, more missed darts would cost the Englishman, as he squandered four for a level game. MvG found tops for a 16 darter to move two clear once more, and after both held, The Green Machine found double 16 in the 13th leg to finally win a fantastic game.
What else happened on day two of the PDC Super Series?
A good run from O’Connor to the last four, including a defeat of Jonny Clayton, helped settle any nerves for The Magpie about qualifying for the World Darts Championship. The final spot is currently held by Jason Lowe, who made the last 32 today.
In the race to qualify for the Players Championship Finals at Minehead, some big names are in huge danger of missing out. Devon Petersen will more than likely need at least one win to remain in the qualification spots, while Simon Whitlock needs at least one win to try and unseat those in the standings.
Also, two more nine darters were hit at the Metrodome in Barnsley. Mickey Mansell struck perfection in his first round win over Krzysztof Kciuk, while Steve West hit his in his second round loss to Jose De Sousa.
