Michael van Gerwen survives Brendan Dolan battle to keep hopes of 4th PDC World Darts Championship title alive

Michael van Gerwen has navigated the potentially tricky task of Brendan Dolan at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, sealing a 4-2 to move into the last 16 where either Jeffrey de Graaf or Paulo Nebrida lies in wait at the Alexandra Palace.

A quarterfinalist last year, defeating Gerwyn Price and Gary Anderson en route, Brendan Dolan has a relatively good record against Michael van Gerwen over the years. It was Dolan that took the opening set too, putting the pressure on Van Gerwen early thanks to some expert finishing, that included stylish checkouts of 86 and 72.

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Although Van Gerwen came out firing in the second set with a hold of throw, the Dutchman couldn't pressure the Dolan throw in leg 2, allowing the 'History Maker' to comfortably level things up. Despite some very scrappy doubling in leg 3, Van Gerwen eventually fell over the line on double 5 to hold throw and then with a 129 checkout on double 12, the Dutchman levelled the match at one set apiece.

Kicking off set 3 with a pop-pop 90 checkout on double 18, you got the sense Van Gerwen was beginning to settle into the matchup. After Dolan dropped low on tops for an immediate break back, Van Gerwen ruthlessly punished to double his advantage in the set. A few moments later, 'Mighty Mike' completed his dominance of the third set to move 2-1 up.

As he really began to turn it on, Van Gerwen made it six legs on the spin with a stunning 149 finish to get set 4 underway. Dolan had the chance to snap that streak in the next leg but went wide with three clear darts at double 19, giving Van Gerwen another chance to further take control. With a 12-darter in the next leg, the Dutchman sealed the set and made it 3-1 in sets a few moments later.

The rot was finally stopped by Dolan in the first leg of set 5, and although Van Gerwen fired straight back in leg 2, the Northern Irishman held throw under severe pressure in leg 3 to on double 16. After 'MVG' missed a handful of opportunities to force a decider in the set, Dolan punished to pull one back at 3-2 down.

Dolan continued to make things awkward for Van Gerwen in set 6 as well, as the pair traded holds of throw in the early exchanges of the set. Despite Dolan's pressuring in leg 3, Van Gerwen held firm to move within one of victory. With a stunning 123 on the bull though, Dolan forced a fifth leg to the set, where the stakes were incredibly high. Would it be a level game or game over? 'MVG' had the darts and despite Dolan having a dart at bull for 3-3, the Dutchman pinned double 8 last dart in hand to seal victory.

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