"A steak or a tough baguette, that's still a no go." - Despite physical discomfort, Michael van Gerwen through to next round World Series of Darts Finals

It wasn't plain sailing, but Michael van Gerwen did qualify for the last sixteen of the 2024 World Series of Darts Finals, after a 6-4 victory against Jonny Clayton.

Van Gerwen and Clayton both did not reach their best level and stuck at around an 86 average. "From the beginning it was fighting, but I have not felt well all day," Van Gerwen told De Telegraaf. "In front of the home crowd you put extra pressure on yourself anyway. I have been playing very well the last couple of weeks, but I lost matches while throwing an average of 100+. Sure there's more in the tank, but anything that doesn't help you on the way up becomes a minor irritation.''

'Mighty Mike recently underwent dental surgery and is still bearing the consequences. "Anyone who's ever had root canal treatment and knows what that feels like: I can tell this is a little boy compared to what I went through," he said.

Just before the game, he removed the rubber bands in his mouth. "That really didn't feel good, but it has to be to keep it together. My lower jaw is searching and wants to go back to its old position. I had a severe underbite. A steak or a tough baguette, that's still a no go.''

Before this tournament, Van Gerwen went on holiday for a week with his family. "I enjoyed that very much and I'm going to do that again next year. Will I have surgery on something then? Well ... I still have an operation on my foot open (because of gout, ed.). The cartilage is going to expand, so I have a bump that doesn't feel quite right in my shoe. Whenever I feel like it, I'm going to use that surgery," he grins.

"This is the best time then, nice on a boat or by the pool. I really enjoyed the weeks off. Next year, after the Matchplay, I might have to go to Australia and New Zealand as well, when I'm invited for that. Then I will be away for the whole children's vacation and I have found now that it is very important and very nice for me to enjoy it with my wife and children. It really has been a crazy time, finally.''