Van Gerwen continues UK Open title defence with deciding leg win over De Sousa

Michael van Gerwen is through to the Quarter-Finals of the UK Open but was pushed all the way in his quest for a spot in the latter stages by Jose de Sousa.

Van Gerwen was sent all the way to a deciding leg before claiming it 10-9 with a 99.5 average.

This was despite 21 missed darts at double blighting him at times but he got through when it mattered.

It was a strong start from both players but it was Van Gerwen that lead 3-2 in the opening exchanges. He extended his lead to 4-2 with an 84 checkout which was a break while averaging 107.6.

But De Sousa took out 80 to square it up at 4-4 from there to keep himself in the fray and this was also the case at the interval as both players were locked in at 5-5.

Van Gerwen started to gain momentum though at the right time and took out 85 suddenly on the bull to make it 7-5. He followed that up with an 11-darter in the form of a 90 checkout to make it 8-5.

De Sousa didn't succumb to another break and took out 72 to stay at 8-6 behind. But he needed to attack the Van Gerwen throw himself.

A 180 was pinned but he only left himself on 158 with Van Gerwen sitting on 68. Mighty Mike missed though twice on double four and De Sousa broke with a 60 checkout to make it 8-7.

De Sousa missed multiple darts to make it 8-8 but wasn't punished. This included busting 5 by hitting double 20. From nowhere, Van Gerwen had a shot at 69 but couldn't oblige and De Sousa obliged with a hold to make it 8-8.

Back-to-back 180's saw Van Gerwen on 44 as he looked to go one away. He pinned double 16 to make it 9-8. A 124 setup shot left 40 for De Sousa who came back for double 10 to send it all the way.

A slack visit from De Sousa after Van Gerwen opened the door allowed the latter a go at the 170 which he went for and despite missing, 'The Special One' continued to struggle and Van Gerwen returned as a result for 35 to win through in a decider.

Evening Session (1900 GMT start)
Last 16
Main Stage
Dave Chisnall (99.5) 10-8 (91.3) Alan Soutar
Krzysztof Ratajski (103.5) 10-3 (96.0) Jonny Clayton
Chris Dobey (101.3) 5-10 (102.1) Gerwyn Price
Jose de Sousa (97.42) 9-10 (99.72) Michael van Gerwen

Stage Two
Luke Humphries (93.5) 10-4 (82.1) Martijn Kleermaker
Devon Petersen (91.3) 10-4 (91.8) Peter Jacques
Brendan Dolan (94.0) 9-10 (98.8) Simon Whitlock
Gabriel Clemens (89.36) 5-10 (99.99) James Wade