17/09/2023

103 average and nine 180s see Van Gerwen prevail in high-quality quarter-final with Van den Bergh at the World Series of Darts Finals

After a high-quality, ding-dong affair it was Michael van Gerwen who finally prevailed to book his spot in the final four of the World Series of Darts Finals courtesy of a thrilling 10-8 victory over Dimitri van den Bergh.

With van Gerwen being greeted with a hero's welcome from the Amsterdam crowd, the Dutchman immediately set about responding in kind with an opening leg 180. It was Van den Bergh who won the leg however and in leg two, the Belgian had a great chance to break the throw but strayed into single five when looking for a big 20. With both players holding throw in the remainder of the session, Van den Bergh hitting six perfect darts in both his legs, the players headed off with the Belgian 3-2 up.

Schedule Sunday afternoon at World Series Finals with Van Gerwen-Van den Bergh, Van Barneveld-Wright in Amsterdam

Following the break the story of the match seemed to have switched, after no breaks of throw in the first session, Van den Bergh took the Van Gerwen through in leg 6 but was unable to capitalise as the Dutchman broke straight back in the following leg. With the standard something truly special, the pair couldn't be split at the second interval with the score 5-5. Both players were averaging over 100 with 13 180s between them.

As Van den Bergh stalled at the start of the third session, Van Gerwen began to press home an advantage and move 7-5 clear. The Belgian regrouped somewhat in leg 13, holding throw to halt the Van Gerwen charge and stay in touch at 7-6 down. A ruthless 72 checkout saw 'Mighty Mike' restore his two-leg lead before Van den Bergh kept up the run of holds in leg 15.

It was a break of throw Van den Bergh needed though but two 180s en route to a 12 dart hold from Van Gerwen was making it tough as he moved a leg away from victory. Van Gerwen's first match-winning chance came and went though as after hitting treble 17 with 57 required, the Dutchman missed two darts at double 3 with Van den Bergh on hand to punish and keep himself alive. Van Gerwen would make a mistake again though and secured himself the win in the following leg.