Michael van Gerwen has not been in dynamite form as of late but he proved to be too strong for Luke Littler on the latter's World Matchplay debut after 'The Nuke' went off as the favourite in the betting and also with a lot of tournament previews.
But Van Gerwen made sure that he was the one to move through with a 10-6 win averaging 102 with five 180's and a high checkout of 146. Littler averaged 101 but was too inconsistent on MVG's throw and had a lot of slack visits instead of being able to really pressure and couldn't find the pivotal break he needed.
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Van Gerwen led with a 56 checkout to hold. He missed darts to break but Littler needed 170 and couldn’t even get a shot as he was all over the place to start. But he left 36 and with MVG missing three darts, Littler hit double 10 to make it 1-1.
A 124 set up left double 20 with MVG going array on his throw and Littler pinned double 10 for 2-1. Littler missed 167 on the bull for 3-1 though and MVG hit 44 for 2-2. MVG missed 103 for 3-2 but Littler could not hit 141 so back the Dutchman came for 3-2 on double four.
MVG broke again with a 72 checkout for 4-2. Littler went double double on 18’s for 129 and was punished with MVG leading 5-2. Littler finally stopped the rot on double 12 for 5-3.
Littler pinned 83 on double 16 for 5-4 down. Littler missed three for 5-5 and MVG broke back for 6-4. Van Gerwen hit a 94 checkout for 7-4 as Littler began running out of time. He hit double 20 for 7-5.
A 146 checkout saw MVG edge ahead again at 8-5. MVG missed 97 to go one away at 9-5 and Littler got a shot at 73 and hit bull for 8-6. But it was now or never as MVG went t the brink at 9-6. MVG missed 170 for the win but he returned to seal the win.
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