Michael van Gerwen sends out World Championship warning with one-sided whitewash of Richard Veenstra

Michael van Gerwen has convincingly reached the last sixteen at the World Darts Championship. Thanks to an average of 101.39 and a finishing percentage of 57 percent, he smashed compatriot Richard Veenstra 4-0.

Van Gerwen started the match nicely by winning the first leg with a 13-darter. After taking a 2-1 lead, he took the set 3-1 with an 11-darter.

With an 11-darter in the third leg of the second set he broke Veenstra, after which he won the set 3-1 with his third 11-darter of the match. Mighty Mike's average in the second set was 116.6, the second highest set average of this tournament.

In the third set, Veenstra countered a bit more. He missed a chance on tops to break Van Gerwen, but then got to 1-1 via a 60 check-out. Moments later it was 2-2 after a fine 12-darter from 'Flyers'. But in the deciding leg Veenstra did not pressure 'Mighty Mike'. After fifteen scoring darts he was only 184, and so Van Gerwen could also add the third set with a 16-darter.

In the fourth set Veenstra was out of the game. Van Gerwen broke him right away with a 14-darter, reached 2-0 via double 10 and then finished the job with a superb 130 finish. Van Gerwen will find out Thursday afternoon who his opponent will be in the next round of the World Darts Championship. He will meet the winner of the duel between Stephen Bunting and Florian Hempel.