𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗦 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗪𝗘𝗡! 🎸 Joe Cullen is into the semi-finals of the 2022 Ladbrokes Masters after defeating Michael van Gerwen 10-7 in an absolute THRILLER! He'll face Jose de Sousa for a spot in the final...
Cullen continues Van Gerwen's major wait to seal last Masters semi-final spot
PDCSunday, 30 January 2022 at 17:40
Joe Cullen is into his third PDC major semi-final after dumping out Michael van Gerwen from 2022 Masters in Milton Keynes with a 10-7 win.
While not at his sparkling best like his victory over Gary Anderson, he did enough to halt the Green Machine who will have to wait till the UK Open in March for another opportunity to claim his first major since November 2020.
For Cullen, he will have his sights set on his first and a potential Premier League spot with Jose de Sousa his next opponent to face either Jonny Clayton or Dave Chisnall.
A poor opening foray from Cullen saw Van Gerwen break throw at 1-0 up. ‘The Rockstar’ hit his first 180 but it was in vein as Van Gerwen sealed a 74 checkout on double eight to consolidate the early break.
Cullen missed double 16 for a hold but Van Gerwen didn’t get a shot at 111 allowing the Bradford ace to make it 2-1 with a first hold despite a poor start.
It was 3-1 though for MVG as he held once more at ¾ on the doubles. Van Gerwen missed double 20 from the 94 and Cullen hit double 20 to hold and make it 3-2 at the break.
A 149 checkout saw Cullen return from the break to seal a vital response as he was looking for a 4-3 lead. Van Gerwen had the chance to break straight back but missed three straight darts at double 16 and Cullen returned to hold on double four.
A 116 checkout saw Cullen go 5-3 up as he was throwing for a three leg cushion. Again Van Gerwen had a chance to break and Cullen pinned a 65 checkout on double 20 to go 6-3 up.
A third maximum followed for Cullen but Van Gerwen didn’t give ‘The Rockstar’ a chance pinned 107 going bull, 17, double 20 to go 6-4 down at the interval.
A 128 leave left 32 for Cullen as he looked to hold throw but he spurned his opportunity and Van Gerwen broke to make it 6-5.
Van Gerwen produced back-to-back 180’s but missed the eighth dart. He levelled though on double two with Cullen unable to produce the 144.
Cullen went for the 170 despite Van Gerwen not being on a finish. But he couldn’t clean up. Neither couldn’t Van Gerwen off the 160 and Cullen hit double two to go 7-6 up.
It was a fourth 180 for Cullen and 112 checkout as he broke back to make it 8-6 and he was throwing to go one away.
He couldn’t consolidate though and Van Gerwen hit double four to break back and make it 8-7. A fifth 180 saw Cullen aim to break again. He missed double 20 for a 120 checkout but a bounceout didn’t give Van Gerwen a chance at 141.
Cullen as a result returned for double 10 for 9-7 and he pinned the same target to claim the win.
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- Oh, dear... how will we cope now?MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- They really are going through an insipid spell - at present.MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- Well done Mike – good to move on and look to the future. With his talent, and increasing confidence on stage, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the month ahead.
UndartedWaters22-11-2024 - It's called talent and good on him.medinabello21-11-2024
- There are 30 Players Championship rounds to play first throughout the year and you have to be in the top 64 to get to the finals. This is probably the hardest Major to win as its the top 128 players at each event or the top ranked Challenge Tour players if any tour card holders drop out.Mysstree20-11-2024