Michael van Gerwen convincingly qualified for the final of the play-offs in the Premier League in Berlin on Monday. The Dutchman defeated James Wade 10-4 in the semi-final. Van Gerwen will be chasing his sixth Premier League title later in the evening and will face Joe Cullen in the final.
Follow the latest developments in the Premier League play-offs here
In the second semi-final of the evening, Van Gerwen and Wade were not inferior to each other. Both darters broke each other in the first game and it took until the eighth game (5-3) before Van Gerwen could make a hole. Van Gerwen did not give away his second break of the evening and convincingly qualified for the final.
Van Gerwen and Wade also played against each other on Saturday at the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen. ‘The Machine’ left Van Gerwen without a chance, 10-4.
Van Gerwen, who has surgery after the play-offs for a nerve disorder in his wrist, can win the Premier League for the sixth time in Berlin. His last title in the prestigious darts competition was ‘Mighty Mike’ in 2019. Van Gerwen was also the best in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Cullen outclass defending champion Clayton
Earlier in the evening, Cullen was far too strong for defending champion Jonny Clayton: 10-4. The 47-year-old Clayton was completely out of the game against the fifteen-year-younger Cullen, who was already leading 6-0 within ten minutes. It wasn’t until the seventh leg for Clayton to hit his first double (1-6), but by then the margin was already too wide to bridge.
Cullen, the number twelve of the PDC Order of Merit, makes his debut in the Premier League this year and narrowly made the play-offs by beating Peter Wright on the last day of play. He will meet the winner of the match between James Wade and Van Gerwen later in the evening.
For the winner of the Premier League, a cash prize of 320,000 euros is ready. The losing finalist will receive 145,000 euros. Clayton and Wade may add 98,000 euros.