Van Gerwen dispels doubts ahead of World Matchplay: "Throwing wise I'm 100% fine"

Michael van Gerwen will face Adrian Lewis on Sunday evening in a blockbuster first round tie and the highlight of a bumper session at the World Matchplay.

Rivals collide once more but there are doubts about the Green Machine due to his recent surgery on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and subsequently only playing once.

But he has moved to dispel the doubts and said that he has been practicing and throwing well.

“Throwing wise I’m 100% fine,” said Van Gerwen.

“I had a nice few days in Vegas with some friends, and then a few days in Ibiza with my wife, so I can’t complain!

“I have been practising really well over the last week, and I’m going to need to perform, because we all know what Adrian Lewis is capable of.

“The World Matchplay is a big test for me on where I stand, and from then on I want to see progression, and that’s really important for me.”

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Having not win this title since 2016, it is top of Van Gerwen's list and he believes now he sealed the Premier League that the flood gates will open.

“It’s been too long since I won this title. I need to do the same as I did in the Premier League, do the right thing at the right moments,” added Van Gerwen.

“I just want to perform. That’s the only thing that counts for me.

“I always have pressure on my shoulders. Nobody can always perform at their best year after year. That’s impossible, but now I’m starting to get somewhere.

“I’m winning tournaments again and I know there is more to come.”

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But what about his opponent? Van Gerwen believes that in Lewis he is a player who hasn't done enough with his talent and that he will do all in his power to stop him continuing his resurgence tonight.

“Adrian Lewis is a phenomenal player and I will always keep saying that,” he concluded.

“Has he done enough with his talent? I would say no, but the field is so strong, the schedule is busy, and Adrian has also had a bit of bad luck in recent years.

“He is working hard to find his way back to the top. I’m here now and I have to stop him, and that’s my only focus right now.”