MvG BREEZES THROUGH!💚 Michael van Gerwen is safely through to the quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of Dirk van Duijvenbode. #WCDarts | R4 📺 bit.ly/WC23Live
"Dirk was trying everything in the book, he was trying to slow me down": Van Gerwen accuses Van Duijvenbode of mind games which backfired in dominant win
PDCSaturday, 31 December 2022 at 09:00
Having comfortably dispatched Dirk van Duijvenbode to book his spot in the quarter-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship for the 9th time in the last eleven years, Michael van Gerwen hit out at what he perceived to be gamesmanship from his compatriot, despite the fact it would ultimately backfire for the Titan.
Speaking in the Sky Sports studio with Wayne Mardle and Emma Paton following his victory, van Gerwen claimed van Duijvenbode had been trying to disrupt his rhythm throughout the match-up. "Dirk was trying everything in the book, he was trying to slow me down," van Gerwen said. "But it doesn't do his game any justice. I just had to tell myself 'keep yourself calm Mike, just smash him.'"
Despite not being overly impressed with his performance, "I won tonight with my B-game, I didn't play well at all," van Gerwen managed to keep his average over a ton for the third successive match, making him the only player remaining in the tournament to have a 100+ average in every game so far.
Pre-game, van Duijvenbode had alluded to the fact that as he was the underdog all the pressure was on the shoulders of the 3-time former world champion, van Gerwen. "He said before the game 'I can relax now, I'm the underdog.' Of course, it's nonsense," Mighty Mike said. "I love my job, playing in front of a crowd like this is amazing."
A quarter-final tie with Chris Dobey awaits van Gerwen in the new year and the Dutchman is already looking forward to the encounter. "I think that Dobey did really well, he has a lot of talent so I'm glad to play him," van Gerwen said. "Of course, he will be the underdog, it iss first to five sets in the next round but I am looking forward to playing him."
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- And this should be the end of it. He was playing like a w****r and gestured as such. End of.Mysstree25-12-2024
- Cross will likely be No. 4 in the world after the world's. He's been in the quarter's or higher in 7 out of the 14 ranked TV majors in the last 2 years. Neither Williams or Cross played close to what they're capable of in this match.Matilda6224-12-2024
- Was a great match and am a fan of Scott, don't see much of him on TV. How the hell is Cross 5 in the world, he goes out almost immediately in every competition.richieburnettrocks24-12-2024
- He has Guillerme Barre Syndrome. Nerve damage due to autoimmune response. Could take him months to recover if at all.medinabello23-12-2024
- I have a nickname for him Ni I man.medinabello23-12-2024
- C'MON HEMPS!!medinabello23-12-2024
- He looks very healthy. I doubt he can run or anything. You need carbs for that. Carbs fuel your brain also. It is the preferred energy source for the brain. Carbs get broken down into glycogen fuel for your muscles. As a rider I totally need carbs. However for a dart player who doesn't need a brain or be fit this diet is perfect.medinabello23-12-2024
- F the bettors. Mugs they are. Anyone could tell this is a 50 50 game or Hempel slight favourite going on form.medinabello23-12-2024
- Hard to play slow players. Does your head in.medinabello23-12-2024
- What do you mean again?medinabello23-12-2024