Michael van Gerwen survives Joe Cullen fightback to keep hopes of 4th World Matchplay title alive

Michael van Gerwen has become the penultimate man into the 2024 World Matchplay quarterfinals, setting up a showdown with Andrew Gilding after an 11-8 win over Joe Cullen at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.

Michael van Gerwen has struggled for consistency of late so after his first round dispatching of Luke Littler, the question was, could the Dutchman back it up? Early signs were very positive for the three time World Matchplay champion as in the first session van Gerwen was by far the better player, racing into an early 4-1 at the first break.

To start the second session though, Cullen was coming back fighting. After holding throw in leg 6, Cullen punished van Gerwen missing the big 17 when trying to set up a dart at tops in leg 7 to get back to 4-3 with a break of throw. Although 'Mighty Mike' steadied the ship somewhat by breaking straight back, some more sloppy finishing from the Dutchman in the following leg allowed Cullen to arrest the momentum right back with a 72 checkout finished on the bull. In the final leg of the session though, Cullen missed one dart for a level game, with van Gerwen nailing double 16 last dart in hand, to head off stage narrowly 6-4 in front.

With the pair exchanging comfortable holds of throw to open the final session, time was beginning to run out for Cullen to make his move. With van Gerwen breaking throw in leg 14, the Dutchman was suddenly 9-5 up and throwing to go one away from the quarterfinals. That didn't happen though, as Cullen roared back with an immediate rebreak. With a 13-darter in the next leg Cullen was right back in the contest suddenly and a third straight leg, sealed with a sensational 128 checkout, the Englishman was one behind with the darts. Showing his class though, van Gerwen survived an incredible bounce out on double 16 to stop the rot and take himself to the brink at 10-8. After Cullen missed three clear darts for 10-9, MVG seized his opportunity to pin his first match dart at double 18 and take the win.

The tournament will be broadcast in full live in UK on Sky Sports throughout. From Saturday, July 13 through Wednesday, July 18, the broadcasts will begin around 7 p.m. In addition, there will be an afternoon session on Sunday, July 14, starting at 1 p.m.

After the second round, the start time of the evening sessions moves up one hour. The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will thus be broadcast from 20:00. On Sunday afternoon, July 21, the third edition of the Women's World Matchplay is scheduled from 1:00 pm. Here, eight ladies compete for the title at the most important women's tournament at the PDC.