Van Gerwen on Anderson after opening World Grand Prix campaign: "In the practice room, we call him the part-timer"

While not at his best, Michael van Gerwen unlike last year found his way through the first round seeing off an out-of-sorts Gary Anderson at the World Grand Prix in straight sets and next is now Stephen Bunting.

"It's always difficult especially in a format like this in the first round of the World Grand Prix then to play Gary (Anderson), you don't know where he stands you don't know what you have to do. You still have to win your game and that makes it tough but in my end I won my game and that's the most important thing," he said to Online Darts.

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He reflected on Anderson and said they now call him 'the part-timer' but that he still has his respect and hopes that he can return to his best.

"I got him quite high up because of his talent, his performance and what he's capable of but I think lately he doesn't enough for his own game. In the practice room, everyone knows we call him the part-timer. He does whatever he wants. That's also his right, he's been on the tour for so long. I like the bloke, I hope he battles on with me for the next few years."

In terms of this tournament also, he said it shouldn't be in Leicester but circumstances mean it's not in Dublin.

"I prefer playing in Dublin because that's where this tournament should be but now there's different circumstances. On the other side, it's always nice to play this tournament."