VAN GERWEN POWERS THROUGH! That opening session set the tone as Michael van Gerwen powers past Joe Cullen and into the Quarter-Finals. He will face Nathan Aspinall next! #WMDarts | R2
Van Gerwen eases past out-of-sorts Cullen to set up Aspinall Quarter-Final clash at World Matchplay
PDCWednesday, 20 July 2022 at 00:34
Another clash that was given top billing involving Michael van Gerwen and one that like his opener against Adrian Lewis did not deliver the high quality but for the two-time World Matchplay champion, he didn't need to produce his best at times in an 11-5 victory over Joe Cullen.
In a repeat of their Premier League final in which Cullen missed a match dart, it was the doubles that let down 'The Rockstar' who was underpar with 15 darts missed overall and only a 90 average compared to a 97 and seven 180's from the victor.
He now moves on to face Nathan Aspinall who he harbours good memories against having beaten him five out of the past six times including last year in Blackpool.
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An 85 checkout on the bull saw an early break of throw from Van Gerwen. A 180 from MVG was followed by a 171 but Van Gerwen held throw with an 82 checkout.
Cullen missed a 112 checkout to hold but he returned for the same double 16 to seal his first leg at 2-1 down. He wasn’t there to pounce on Van Gerwen missing three darts for a hold and the Dutchman led 3-1 up.
Both pinned 180’s with both going back-to-back but Cullen missed 84 for a hold and Van Gerwen was sat on 45 pinning it to go 4-1 up at the break.
On return, Cullen took out 81 to go 4-2 down and break back. He was well adrift on the 110 on double 15 but MVG started to miss and double 20 at that and Cullen had a happy accident drifting into single 10 to crash the final dart off the barrel to make it 4-3.
Cullen heaped pressure on MVG but both buckled on the doubles only for the former to gift MVG a hold on double four to make it 5-3. Cullen kept on his coattails at 5-4 down.
Missed doubles continued to creep in but MVG was well ahead which allowed him to head into the interval at 6-4 up.
Again Van Gerwen missed doubles but Cullen couldn’t pounce and MVG broke for 7-4 up. Cullen held throw at 8-5 down.
But despite landing another 180, Van Gerwen held at 9-5 up to go two away. The missed doubles from Cullen saw him resigned to his fate and MVG went 10-5 up and he sealed it from there.
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- Oh, dear... how will we cope now?MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- They really are going through an insipid spell - at present.MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- Well done Mike – good to move on and look to the future. With his talent, and increasing confidence on stage, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the month ahead.
UndartedWaters22-11-2024 - It's called talent and good on him.medinabello21-11-2024
- There are 30 Players Championship rounds to play first throughout the year and you have to be in the top 64 to get to the finals. This is probably the hardest Major to win as its the top 128 players at each event or the top ranked Challenge Tour players if any tour card holders drop out.Mysstree20-11-2024