Van Gerwen fires message to Wright ahead of World Grand Prix showdown: "Peter has a big mouth, I know I'm the better player and I think everyone knows that"

Michael van Gerwen fired a statement to the rest of the field at the World Grand Prix with a dazzling display to down Chris Dobey and reach the semi-finals where he will face Peter Wright and post match, he is not getting too ahead of himself and had some praise for 'Hollywood'.

"It wasn't easy for me and I had to fight for it really hardly. In some points, I made it for myself incredibly difficult but I think overall I was the much better player especially my scoring coming into the game. I think I made it really difficult for him to do well in this game and that's what you want," said Van Gerwen post match.

"I'm only in the semi-finals, I've won nothing so far so I need to make sure I'm sharp. I respect him a lot as I think he's one of the most underestimated players on the tour, he's got a lot of talent. His focus is always well and you still need to perform well against him."

But he was in the mood for fighting talk ahead of his tie with Peter Wright on Saturday night and responded to Wright's prior comments this week about rankings and being the best player in the world.

"It wasn't too well but tomorrow (Saturday) is a different story. It's a different format as well so I need to make sure I need to do exactly the same. When I'm in this mood, they are all scared of me."

"We all know Peter has a big mouth. He is a good player but sometimes when he gets in this mood, he says stupid things and other players know that. I know I'm the better player and I think everyone knows that."