Van Gerwen denies Suljovic in breathtaking PDC World Darts Championship classic with 107.66 average and 12 180's

Michael van Gerwen was expected by many to trounce Mensur Suljovic but in an embodiment of showing that his favorite status may not be as easy as many think, he was embroiled in a PDC World Darts Championship classic winning 4-2 in sets.

He had to produce an incredible 107.66 average, 12 180's to see off 'The Gentle' with one moment in particular standing out as he looked to win 4-1 and he declined a dart at the bull for 121.

From there, Suljovic took out 161 to clinch the set but couldn't carry that momentum as MVG eased to victory in the following set but knowing he'd been in a real battle.

Readjusting after hitting the wrong treble, Van Gerwen kicked off with a 74 checkout to hold. MVG missed two darts to break from 90 and Suljovic held on double 16.

MVG missed 110 on double 16 but returned for the same target for 2-1. Under pressure from MVG, Suljovic hit a 41 checkout to force a decider.

But MVG took the set on double six. Suljovic hit a 66 checkout to hold and begin set two. MVG missed 126 under pressure from Suljovic and the Austrian hit double 10 to break.

MVG hit back with a 101 checkout using the bull to break back at 2-1 down. He followed that up with an 81 checkout to make it 2-2 and force Suljovic to serve it out.

MVG sat at an average just under 119 and pinned a 64 checkout to seal the second set. Van Gerwen began the third set with a 14-darter on double 16 to hold.

MVG missed 81 on the bull to break and Suljovic held on double 20. Suljovic missed 142 on double 11 for a break but returned for double 11 to make it 2-1.

Van Gerwen missed 170 to break back and Suljovic hit a 51 checkout to take the set. A 50 checkout saw MVG break throw to begin set four.

He missed the bull for a 122 checkout though and Suljovic broke back with a 52 checkout. A 48 checkout on double 14 saw him go one away from 2-2.

Van Gerwen hit double four to send it to a decider. He went six darts into a nine-dart finish and with Suljovic unable to pin 161, Van Gerwen took aim at 48 pinning double 16 for a 3-1 sets lead.

MVG held to begin set five. Suljovic hit back with a 76 checkout with Van Gerwen missing a dart to break. A 65 checkout saw him go one away. Suljovic sent it all the way on double 10.

Van Gerwen laid up on 121 instead of going for it and Suljovic smashed in a 161 checkout. MVG missed 156 on double 18 but returned to break.

A 68 checkout on double 14 saw him Suljovic straight back. He missed a dart at double six though but Van Gerwen couldn’t go a leg away. Suljovic chased round the board though as did Van Gerwen only to hit double four and returned for double eight to finally seal it.