Michael van Gerwen qualified for the quarter finals of the World Darts Championship in London on Friday evening. In a Dutch get-together with Dirk van Duijvenbode, the three-time champion recorded a 4-1 victory.
Van Gerwen, the number 3 in the world, immediately took the win in the first set. Although he had to work hard for it. For example, Van Duijvenbode showed himself with a 117 finish. But after six missed doubles by ‘Aubergenius’, the Vlijmenaar finished it off.
Van Gerwen pressed on in the second set. He quickly took a 2-0 lead, but then saw Van Duijvenbode hit back with a nice 170 finish. A second break then gave Van Gerwen the win in the set (2-0).
Short comeback
Van Duijvenbode recovered in the third set. With an average above 120, he won the set 3-1 (2-1). The number 14 in the world also scored high in the following set, but he forgot to reward himself at the important moments.
Van Gerwen ran out to 3-1, after which Van Duijvenbode never recovered from the disappointment. De Brabander finished it easily in the fifth set.
Van Gerwen will play in the quarterfinals against Chris Dobey, who eliminated Rob Cross earlier in the evening.