Van Barneveld won his first leg after Van Gerwen had missed two arrows on the double. Then recovered Mighty Mike and took a 2-1 lead. In the end De Brabander went into the dressing room after the first session with a 3-2 lead.
Van Barneveld then returned to 3-3 and even occurred with 4-3. It became 4-4 without there being any excitement in the room. The bar was bad from both sides. Van Gerwen went again with a lead into the dressing room: 6-4.
In the third session, Van Gerwen put things in order. He broke immediately from Barneveld, won his own leg and suddenly led comfortably with 8-4. He no longer had that lead in danger. Barney grabbed two legs sighing and supporting, but it was in vain. He went down 10-6.
On average Michael van Gerwen almost 93
Van Gerwen finished with an average of almost 93 points. Van Barneveld achieved an average score of 87 points with three arrows.
Van Gerwen made his return to the US Darts Masters last month after a one -month break. De Brabander had taken a break through the relationship break with his wife Daphne and was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
“I made it far too difficult for myself,” said Van Gerwen during an interview on stage just after the game. “I should have won with a much bigger margin. But I have not played so many matches in recent months. That will also have to do with it.”