"That's the most important thing for me: that his level will grow a bit more" - Van der Voort backs Van Gerwen to follow Peter Wright's example at PDC World Darts Championship

Michael van Gerwen faces Jeffrey de Graaf in the fourth round of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship on Monday night. It will be "Mighty Mike's" third match at the tournament, having previously beaten James Hurrell (3-0) and Brendan Dolan (4-2).

Especially against Dolan, Van Gerwen had to work hard and only narrowly avoided a deciding set. Vincent van der Voort hopes his good friend can finish the job faster against De Graaf. "I think it's going well," is how Van der Voort responded in the podcast Darts Draait Door when asked how Van Gerwen is currently in the tournament. "It was quite a relief that he won, because Dolan proved to be a tough opponent. But he got through that one and now he has to work on his level. Another step better. Hope he will win a little easier this time."

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Van der Voort then points to Peter Wright, who seems to be growing better and better in the tournament. According to him, Van Gerwen should take an example from this. "That's the most important thing for me: that Michael is going to grow in his level just a little bit more. That he is going to do what Peter Wright is doing well: grow in the tournament."

De Graaf is an opponent not to be underestimated, although Van der Voort sees where Van Gerwen can make the difference. "He's not someone who blows you off the board scoring. But what you saw against Anderson: he takes every opportunity. If he gets a finish ... He almost throws them all out," Van der Voort stated. "So Michael is going to have to score that he dominates him scoring and not give him chances."

For De Graaf, it will be the first time he will play a match at the last sixteen at the World Darts Championship. The Swedish Dutchman won earlier in the tournament over Rashad Sweeting (3-1), Gary Anderson (3-0) and Paolo Nebrida (4-1).

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