Michael van Gerwen is into the Grand Slam Semi-finals after defeating
Rob Cross 16-13. Van Gerwen has now defeated Cross in each of their 5 previous meetings, all of which have taken place in the last 3 months.
The duo both averaged over 100 and were better then 50% on the doubles. Van Gerwen shading both categories as he also would the match.
The match nearly started in sensational fashion, MvG opened with 6 perfect darts. Falling short on the third visit in his quest to match Kyle Anderson exploits against him in Hasselt weeks ago. Perhaps even more sensationally Van Gerwen would lose the opening leg. Cross taking out 137 for a 12 dart leg after MvG missed 2 darts at double.
Cross backed that up with a 15 darter and another ton plus finish. This time a 112 out shot giving him a 2-0 lead. Van Gerwen hit back and took the next 3 legs, requiring just a total of 39 darts to do so. The Dutchman lead 3-2 at the first interval.
In the next mini-session every leg went with throw. The pair going back and forth trading big scores and clinical finishes. Scores level at 5 a piece.
Voltage would be the man to finally break the pattern, breaking Mighty Mikes throw in leg 15. A further hold in leg 16 opened up a 2 leg gap for the world number 24. The second time the former electrician would lead by 2 legs. Once again though it wouldn't last MvG levelling things back up again with a break back in leg 20.
Cross would play catch up for the rest of the match. the final time the pair would be level was 11-11. After that The former electrician just couldn't keep pace with the world number 1. Eventually falling to a 16-13 loss.
Van Gerwen has now set up a mouthwatering clash with Phil Taylor in tomorrows semi-finals.
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