Van Gerwen continues winning form with victory over rival Anderson, Rydz edges Aspinall in deciding leg thriller

Michael van Gerwen has continued his winning form into the UK Open as he looks to regain the title for a fourth time this weekend and he saw off rival Gary Anderson to begin his weekend.

Van Gerwen was made to work by Anderson winning it 10-7 with a break being the difference in favour of 'Mighty Mike' throughout the tie.

He claimed that to go 2-1 up with an 84 checkout and went 3-1 and 5-2 up from there with another break going the way of the Green Machine. It was immediately erased by Anderson on double 20 after Van Gerwen missed darts to hold.

But he always kept him at arms length with hold after hold. A pivotal moment came when Van Gerwen produced a 115 used two bullseyes to go 8-6 up and Anderson from there spurned the opportunity to break which would have seen him level up.

This allowed Van Gerwen to continue to build towards the finishing line which he reached as a result of Anderson chasing round the board on 40 and this allowed MVG back for 48 for the win.

While elsewhere, Callan Rydz punished four missed match darts from Nathan Aspinall in the deciding leg to seal a 10-9 victory and claim his spot in the Last 32 in a thrilling tie.

For Aspinall, he couldn't replicate his form from this past weekend in Riesa as his rise back from injury continues, while for Rydz, a spot in the draw later awaits.