Michael van Gerwen won his first match at the World Darts Championship with 3-1 in sets against the Japanese Mitsuhiko Tatsunami. The wrecking ball from Vlijmen even fell behind and had to do everything it could to win. Thanks to this victory, ‘Mighty Mike’ has advanced to the last 64 of the tournament in London.
After a spectacular performance by both players at the legendary Alexandra Palace, the three-time world champion was able to get straight to work. The wrecking ball from Vlijmen started his match dramatically against the 52-year-old Japanese Mitsuhiko Tatsunami, who was participating in a World Cup for the first time. The first set was lost by Van Gerwen.
Fortunately, this match went to three sets, but even after the first set ‘Mighty Mike’ did not get his arrows into the doubles. The cheerful Japanese took advantage once again and took a 2-0 lead in legs during the second set. The Vlijmen resident had to step up his game if he wanted to stay in the match. He remained sloppy on the doubles, but eventually managed to take the set 3-2 to level the score again.
After the second break the switch seemed to have turned for the Brabander. He looked more focused and his average shot up. With an immediate break and the well-known shout of ‘MvG’ it was clear that it was serious. Tatsunami could no longer keep up with the 36-year-old’s increased pace and saw Van Gerwen reach 2-1 in sets.
And just when you thought Van Gerwen was going to get over it, he made it exciting again. In the possibly winning set he again fell behind and missed a number of important arrows towards victory. Fortunately, Tatsunami missed four darts for the set at 2-2 in legs, after which Van Gerwen hit his fourth match dart.
Victory after a difficult year
This is a very welcome victory for Van Gerwen. After a turbulent time, in which he divorced his wife Daphne and was told that his father was seriously ill, the Vlijmen resident hopes to achieve success again.
The world title already went to Brabant in 2014, 2017 and 2019 and now he is still in the race for the next title. Van Gerwen will throw the next game on Tuesday. Then the winner of the match between the Irish William O’Connor and the Pole Krysztof Kciuk will be the next hurdle among the last 64 participants of the tournament.