07/03/2021

Defending champion Van Gerwen claims final UK Open semi-final spot with superb victory over Ratajski

Defending UK Open champion, Michael van Gerwen is into the semi-finals in Milton Keynes after denying Krzysztof Ratajski in a 10-7 victory to conclude the line-up for tonight's final session.

Van Gerwen will head into the draw alongside Gerwyn Price, Luke Humphries and James Wade shortly after defying early brilliance from Ratajski to win with a 102.8 average and 58% on the doubles.

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Ratajski was incredible to begin the first two legs averaging 144 including back-to-back 180's en route to taking the first.

He could have been at least 4-1 up at the interval but instead was at 3-2 with Van Gerwen averaging in the 80's but pouncing on missed doubles from the Pole.

A superb 86 checkout saw another 11-darter from Ratajski though on return as he broke for a 5-3 lead.

A 150 set up from Van Gerwen left 32 and he pinned it after Ratajski couldn't get a shot at 102 and he broke straight back at 5-4.

MVG hit 91 from there to sit at the next interval at 55 with Ratajski likely feeling aggrieved to be level.

They continued to be level with Van Gerwen taking out 114 to level up at 6-6. He followed it up with a 64 checkout to break with Ratajski not performing anywhere like he did at the start of the game.

He was down to 64 again on his own throw with 76 left for Ratajski but Van Gerwen went the same way to go two away at 8-6.

It was four consecutive legs for Van Gerwen as he pinned double 10 to go to the brink at 9-6.

A 180 put Ratajski under heaps of pressure but he pinned 94 to break and go 9-7 back.

Ratajski missed the bull for a 122 and it was a chance he spurned as Van Gerwen hit 126 to win on double six.