PDC World Grand Prix final preview: Michael van Gerwen vs Peter Wright
NewsSaturday, 06 October 2018 at 12:00
In a year of surprises, the PDC World Grand Prix gives a comforting amount of familiarity.
For the sixth time in the competition's history, the top two seeds will compete in the final. Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright are two behemoths on the PDC circuit. Both have been in good form at this year's Grand Prix. And there's no doubting that whoever is crowned in Dublin on Saturday night will need to pull off something spectacular.
"I have to win tomorrow, it's as simple as that. Reaching the final means nothing if you don't win it."
Michael van Gerwen was his typical bullish self after beating Daryl Gurney in the semi-final. He was his usual self on the oche too, romping to a 4-1 win. Even then, he didn't reach the levels he did in that spectacular quarter-final defeat of Dave Chinsall. MvG holds the record for the highest average in a Grand Prix final - 100.29, notched up two years ago. He'll be looking to reach three figures again and top that record.
The Dutchman has won the title in 2012, 2014 and 2016. For the sake of the pattern, if anything, he has to be considered the favourite.
"I have to win tomorrow, it's as simple as that. Reaching the final means nothing if you don't win it."
Michael van Gerwen was his typical bullish self after beating Daryl Gurney in the semi-final. He was his usual self on the oche too, romping to a 4-1 win. Even then, he didn't reach the levels he did in that spectacular quarter-final defeat of Dave Chinsall. MvG holds the record for the highest average in a Grand Prix final - 100.29, notched up two years ago. He'll be looking to reach three figures again and top that record.
The Dutchman has won the title in 2012, 2014 and 2016. For the sake of the pattern, if anything, he has to be considered the favourite.
Wright's hoodoo
Mighty Mike laid down a gauntlet for his opponent: "We're going to see tomorrow if Peter knows how to beat me," he said.
It's a question that is, unfortunately for Wright, still up in the air. Sure, he has beaten van Gerwen in finals before on the European Tour. But in the 2014 World Championship, two consecutive UK Opens, that infamous Premier League finals day last year, and in the 2017 Grand Slam, Snakebite hasn't had that cutting edge needed to defeat his nemesis.
Inspiration can be found in his stirring comeback against Mensur Suljovic. At 3-0 down, there was no room for error. So Wright didn't make any. To cruise through the seventh and deciding set showed a real touch of class. Wright has been notching up some spectacular finishes under pressure; they hold the key to stealing key legs.
Van Gerwen needs to halt an indifferent run in stage events. For Wright, this is much bigger. He needs to banish his ghosts, and claim the biggest win of his life.
Click here for more information about the World Grand Prix.
World Grand Prix - Final
Michael van Gerwen vs Peter Wright
(best of 9 sets)
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1048325621636587521
It's a question that is, unfortunately for Wright, still up in the air. Sure, he has beaten van Gerwen in finals before on the European Tour. But in the 2014 World Championship, two consecutive UK Opens, that infamous Premier League finals day last year, and in the 2017 Grand Slam, Snakebite hasn't had that cutting edge needed to defeat his nemesis.
Inspiration can be found in his stirring comeback against Mensur Suljovic. At 3-0 down, there was no room for error. So Wright didn't make any. To cruise through the seventh and deciding set showed a real touch of class. Wright has been notching up some spectacular finishes under pressure; they hold the key to stealing key legs.
Van Gerwen needs to halt an indifferent run in stage events. For Wright, this is much bigger. He needs to banish his ghosts, and claim the biggest win of his life.
Click here for more information about the World Grand Prix.
World Grand Prix - Final
Michael van Gerwen vs Peter Wright
(best of 9 sets)
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1048325621636587521
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