Michael van Gerwen sets up Bahrain Darts Masters final vs Luke Littler

Michael van Gerwen has set-up a tantalising final at the Bahrain Darts Masters against Luke Littler after a 7-6 victory over Michael Smith.

Despite Luke Littler bagging all the headlines, Michael van Gerwen has been the player of the tournament in the opening two rounds, with a pair of averages around the 106 mark. The Dutchman started well again here, breaking throw in the opening leg.

Michael Smith fought back well, breaking throw in return, before holding in leg 3 to nudge in front at 2-1. Both players kept the throw until the final leg before the break. Van Gerwen sensed his opportunity and pounced to to a 4-3 lead as the players headed off stage.

After the Dutchman missed three darts for the first leg back after the break though, Smith punished to level up the tie once again. Despite more van Gerwen misses in the following leg, Smith couldn't punish this time, allowing 'MVG' to return and make it 5-4.

Again though, Smith refused to lie down and accept defeat, breaking straight back for a third time via a 130 checkout to make it 5-5. Yet another break of throw put van Gerwen on the brink but he spurned multiple match darts, allowing Smith to send the match to a decider. In the 15th and final leg though, van Gerwen finally managed to cross the line.