TOP SEED MICHAEL van Gerwen recorded comfortably the best average in the history of the PDC World Darts Championship to overcome a sensational Raymond van Barneveld performance and set up a mouthwatering final with reigning champion Gary Anderson.
Van Gerwen was darts’ dominant force throughout 2016 — following Anderson’s second success at Alexandra Palace — and came into his semi-final on Sunday having won 38 consecutive televised PDC ranking matches since his defeat to fellow Dutchman Van Barneveld in last year’s World Championship.
Fresh from victories over Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor, Van Barneveld began their rematch in blistering form and looked capable of upsetting his compatriot once again.
However, although Van Barneveld finished with a stunning average of 109.34, the 49-year-old still suffered a 6-2 defeat as Van Gerwen averaged a scarcely believable 114.05 to better the previous record of 111.21 set by Taylor in 2002.
The only thing missing from Van Gerwen’s staggering display was a perfect nine-dart leg, which he almost achieved in the final set only to miss double 12.
https://www.facebook.com/SkySports/videos/10154912950683762/
“I think it’s a phenomenal performance, but Raymond made me play this well,” the world number one told Sky Sports.
It’s what I want to do all the time. It was amazing.”
The contest delivered 29 180s — Van Gerwen hitting 15 to his rival’s 14 — and quite simply the highest standard of darts witnessed in a World Championship contest, with Van Barneveld setting a new record for the highest losing average.
Sunday’s first semi-final saw Anderson extend his winning run at Alexandra Palace to 17 matches with a 6-3 win over Peter Wright. Third seed Wright struggled badly on the doubles early on, but battled back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to level the match at 3-3 before Anderson regained control.
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Well that’s wiped the smirk off Phil Taylor,MVG sensational yet again
Barney said afterwards he was nt good enough anymore 109 avg would win most matches …MVG unstoppable
Wow what a performance! Barney averaged 109 and 68% on the doubles and still got spanked that would be a hard defeat to take.
The best Darting performance ever! Ridiculous standard!!
Barney’s interview would break your heart love the man. But my god when it comes to business MVG is an absolute ruthless darting machine unstoppable what a game!
A “ruthless darting machine” Ryan? Unlike the late Jocky Wilson who was a toothless darting machine :-)
He’s juicing
Bonkers match.
Darts…….. Sport……..no…..
@Liam Dunne:Might tune into u from now on instead of de darts. U seem like a……hilarious…….man
Liam ………..darts…………..no……
Sport requires a level of physical fitness. Darts player’s only exercise is walking up the counter in the chipper. Judging by the size of some of them, they get it delivered. It’s no more a sport than Poker or Chess. It’s more entertaining though. But it’s not a sport.
lol! not these jokers again! it must be awful to have the “non sport” of darts keeping you awake at night. tis as bad as the ufc haters going on about it not being a sport because it’s barbaric. there’s no pleasing some lads. i don’t like golf so stay out of the golfing articles here. i wish others would do likewise with their views on non sports.
Sport or not who cares, MVG is the man. He is brilliant to watch and for many that is all that matters. I remember reading about Rugby League and the creation of the professional game with the reasoning behind this to provide entertainment at weekends for the workers who had tough enough lives in the coal mines etc in the north of England. Darts in some ways does the same so who cares if it is a sport or not. It takes us out of our otherwise less than interesting midweek existences.