Van Gerwen ends 339 day PDC ranking title drought with Players Championship 29 (PDC Super Series 8) win over Aspinall
PDC
Michael van Gerwen may have claimed the Nordic Darts Masters which ended his barren title run since last year's Players Championship Finals.
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But he has been without a PDC ranking title this year until today with a 339 day run ended after claiming Players Championship 29 on Day Two of PDC Super Series 8 in Barnsley.
He defeated Nathan Aspinall 8-5 in the final with a 102.3 average and 8/15 on the doubles.
Bemoaning his luck at times this season, it has finally turned onto his side as he joins Chris Dobey in winning a title so far this week.
Van Gerwen surged into the lead to begin the final but Aspinall found his range to break and hold and go 3-1 up after two misses from MVG to break straight back.
But the deficit was reduced by Van Gerwen with an 11-darter on double 16 to go 3-2 down and after costly misses from Aspinall, he made it parity.
It was three legs on the spin as he regained the lead at 4-3 up and another break saw him move two clear and closer to the finishing line at 5-3.
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Aspinall though wasn't done and stayed in touch at 5-4 down averaging 105 but it was once again, it was four missed darts at double and this allowed a 6-4 lead for Van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen went one away and after Aspinall claimed a hold back, it was now or never for the Stockport ace who needed a break to send it towards a decider.
But despite a 180, Van Gerwen ended his drought on double 16 letting out a relieved roar.
Quarter-Finals
Jelle Klaasen (95.29) 0 | 6 (101.33) Damon Heta
Krzysztof Ratajski (101.20) 2 | 6 (107.21) Michael van Gerwen
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Nathan Aspinall (109.23) 6 | 4 (100.59) Ryan Searle
Kim Huybrechts (89.46) 3 | 6 (93.43) William O'Connor
Semi-Finals
Damon Heta (89.90) 3 | 7 (96.89) Michael van Gerwen
Nathan Aspinall (100.64) 7 | 4 (94.29) William O'Connor
Final
Michael van Gerwen (102.30) 8 | 5 (102.57) Nathan Aspinall
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