Michael van Gerwen won the World Matchplay on Sunday. In the final of the prestigious tournament in Blackpool, the Dutchman settled with Gerwyn Price: 18-14 thanks to some great finishes.
Both Price and Van Gerwen started with high scores, but it was the Welshman who was better on the doubles in the early stages and took a 4-0 lead at lightning speed. At that point, the Dutchman had zero out of eight on his check-outs.
Van Gerwen fought back nicely and had reduced the deficit to 4-3 in no time. In leg five he was a few millimeters away from a nine-darter and in leg seven he threw 160. At the start of the second break, Price nevertheless led 6-4.
During the third session, Van Gerwen and Price did not give each other an inch, although the Welshman showed himself a little sharper on the doubles, leading 9-6 after fifteen legs. Price then went on to play a little more volatile: the 2021 world champion increasingly alternated higher scores with lesser innings. Van Gerwen took advantage and had reduced his deficit to 11-9 at the start of the fourth break.
Gerwyn Price reached the final of the World Matchplay for the first time.
Gerwyn Price reached the final of the World Matchplay for the first time. Photo: Getty Images
Van Gerwen is firmly increasing the pressure
In the 21st leg, Van Gerwen hit hard by throwing out 81 after Price had missed some double chances, a rarity at the time. As a result, the Welshman was only leading 11-10.
After that, however, Van Gerwen made a mistake at the finish, making it 12-10. Price became increasingly sloppy and the Dutchman tied the score via double 16: 12-12.
Van Gerwen then increased the pressure and with a 14-14 score, the Dutchman placed another break via an extremely handsome 130 finish. The Dutchman then ran to 16-14 and via a finish of 114 it even became 17-14. Price did not like that and Van Gerwen decided the final via a finish of 121.
It is for Van Gerwen after 2015 and 2016 his third overall victory at the World Matchplay, with which he occupies second place on the list of players with the most titles in this tournament. Phil Taylor is the record holder with sixteen victories.
For the app users: tap the tweet above for images of the last arrows in the final.
Van Gerwen underwent another operation in June
Van Gerwen reached the final by successively beating Adrian Lewis (10-7), Joe Cullen (11-5), Nathan Aspinall (16-14) and Dimitri Van den Bergh (17-14).
His performances at the World Matchplay prove that Van Gerwen is on his way back. De Brabander had surgery on his wrist in June because he suffered from the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve disorder. For the past eighteen months, he has struggled with tingling in his wrist, precisely in his throwing arm.