Michael van Gerwen did what he does best and that is claim victory from the jaws of defeat and once again he has defeated Peter Wright but this time it is a first time tournament win at the Champions League of Darts.
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Wright was seemingly cruising to victory at 10-7 up but as the finishing line approached, he missed multiple match darts with memories evoked of the Premier League as Van Gerwen took four legs in a row to become the first holder of a belt in darts.
Van Gerwen started with a brilliant 88 checkout to go 1-0 up. Wright produced even better with a 156 checkout to tie the match up.
MVG then killed off a 154 after Wright hit a 180 to pressure as he led again at 2-1 up. The holds of throw made it 3-3 with Wright capitalising to hold his throw after Van Gerwen had missed doubles to break.
Wright though himself broke in the requisite leg making it 4-3 at the first break. It was more missed doubles from Van Gerwen when it looked like he was going to break back and in clutch style, Wright hit a 41 checkout to go two legs in front at 5-3 up.
A 100 checkout saw him claim a double break and if he couldn't capitalise, Van Gerwen would be in trouble. Wright couldn't hit the 110 checkout and Van Gerwen took a break back.
Van Gerwen held throw to put it within one again but Wright made it 7-5 with a pressured double 18. He broke again to make sure in the final session he'd lead.
Going into the break, Van Gerwen claimed an important break back with Wright missing the chance to go two away. A 136 checkout brought MVG to within one, could Wright continue to hold and claim a famous win or will Mighty Mike pull off a brilliant comeback?
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A clutch 76 checkout saw Wright go two away though. MVG missed D11 for the 142 checkout and Wright stepped up to hit double 20 and go one away, with failed attempts in the last leg in the Premier League; the nerves will be there.
Three poor darts at double 12 saw Wright miss the chance to win, it looked at this point like it was going all the way. Van Gerwen held his throw which put all the pressure on Wright.
Van Gerwen broke with a 62 checkout to make it 10-10. He had the throw in the decider, who can produce in the final echelons?
MVG hit a 50 checkout to win it in the end to claim a win befitting of the World Number One, he finally has the belt he craved.
Click here for more information on the Champions League of Darts as darts debuts on TV in Leicester.
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Evening Session (1830 BST start)
Semi-Finals
Peter Wright (103.52) 11-5 (97.88) Michael Smith
Michael van Gerwen (105.54) 11-10 (102.49) Gerwyn Price
Final
Michael van Gerwen (100.87) 11 (21) 10 (97.42) Peter Wright
Semi-Finals
Peter Wright (103.52) 11-5 (97.88) Michael Smith
Michael van Gerwen (105.54) 11-10 (102.49) Gerwyn Price
Final
Michael van Gerwen (100.87) 11 (21) 10 (97.42) Peter Wright
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1186019726398492675?s=20
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
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