Van Gerwen defeats Aspinall to set up clash with Wright in 2020 PDC World Championship Final

Michael van Gerwen is on the verge of defending the PDC World Championship for the first time in his career as he has reached another final at the Alexandra Palace.

Van Gerwen was far from his best averaging 95 for most of the contest but Aspinall did not take advantage and missed many attempts at doubles especially in deciders which handed Mighty Mike the initiative to ease past the Stockport ace.

It will be a repeat of the 2014 PDC World Championship final where he claimed the World title for the first time against Peter Wright who he will face again; he will fancy his chances more especially when they face off for the second time after seeing MVG's performance but will know that Van Gerwen will likely up his level on New Years Day.

Aspinall had a bright start to proceedings going two up in the set; he was seemingly on the verge of claiming the first set; but when he missed double six, the writing was on the wall as despite Van Gerwen needing multiple goes at it, he snatched the first set.

The Stockport ace though gave himself a real confidence booster; by smashing in a 124 checkout on double 11 to break Van Gerwen's throw.

Van Gerwen missed one to claim the break back; Aspinall hit a 43 checkout to go one away from levelling the match up.

MVG hit a clutch 76 checkout pinning it last dart to halve the deficit; despite Aspinall getting himself down to a finish. A 180 saw Aspinall kick off his leg well but he missed 84 to win a set again, despite that he got another three at double six which he pinned to make it 1-1 on the Van Gerwen throw.

Another leg where he hit a 180 saw him go 1-0 up and lead for the first time. Aspinall was first to a finish at 161; but the pressure was on Van Gerwen with 80 and he missed it allowing Aspinall three at 32 but he couldn't convert and Van Gerwen could making it 1-1.

An 81 checkout under pressure saw Aspinall hold throw and finally go one away from the set. Van Gerwen missed double 12 for a 144 checkout; he went round the houses on 24 but MVG was allowed three more.

He claimed the set from there; as Aspinall had a really poor leg on throw. Van Gerwen missed a 104 checkout and on his third go, Aspinall sent it to a decider.

MVG couldn't pin a 132 checkout; Aspinall smashed in a 110 checkout on double 16 to tie it up at 2-2. He started the next set by pinning double 10 to hold throw and go 1-0 up. It continued to go on throw as Van Gerwen missed a 156 and Aspinall cleared up to potentially go one away from going ahead.

Van Gerwen missed 128 but Aspinall missed 96 allowing Van Gerwen to pinch the set. Van Gerwen expertly left double 16 and he pinned it to open up the next set holding throw.

He broke throw with a 46 checkout and went one away from a 4-2 lead which he achieved. Aspinall stopped the rot with an 84 checkout to lead in the next set and he missed a 92 checkout which wasn't punished which allowed him to break, he claimed the set to go one behind from there.

They held throw and despite Van Gerwen being on a nine-dart finish, a 107 finish saw Aspinall level it up. MVG hit a 160 set up in a brilliant exhibition type shot and he took it out clutch to go 2-1 up.

Mighty Mike missed 108 to claim the set and both players missed reams of shots at doubles before Aspinall finally pinned it. A 68 checkout saw Van Gerwen pinch it in a decider again.

A poor leg from Aspinall saw Van Gerwen hit a 72 checkout and break throw as the Dutchman surged towards the finish. Aspinall held throw but Van Gerwen had the throw in the next leg.

Click here for more information on the PDC World Darts Championship, which takes place at the Alexandra Palace between December 13 and January 1.

PDC World Darts Championship 2020 schedule

Monday December 30

Evening session (1900 GMT start)
Semi-finals

Peter Wright (98.39) 6-3 (89.94) Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen (96.34) 6-3 (92.04) Nathan Aspinall

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