Van Gerwen on Aspinall regripping dart during World Matchplay win: "For me, it looks close to dartitis"

Michael van Gerwen is through to the semi-finals at the World Matchplay after defeating Nathan Aspinall in the Quarter-Finals 16-14.

Van Gerwen led 11-4 but saw Aspinall come back. "At the beginning of the game, I feel really comfortable. I think I played really well especially early doors putting on the pressure. I had a lead of 11-4 even maybe could have been bigger I think in my opinion, it wasn't that way but after that I gave Nathan too much confidence and he start to fight really hard back and every knows he's like a pitbull he never gives up," said Van Gerwen post match.

"It wasn't too easy, he made it really close with some really good finishing but I'm really glad I had the power to hit a really good finish at the right moment to win the match."

Next up is Dimitri van den Bergh and he is looking forward to potentially showing more form game by game in his return from surgery.

"I know I'm not 100% but as long as I keep battling in this tournament, I know I can give everyone a great game and of course next round is going to be really tough against Dimitri. Dimitri is in great form but I hope I can manage to do a little bit more. Game by game, it goes better with me so I'm looking forward to it."

"I still think I've got more in the tank and more to go for and to fight for and to work for but I'm still in the tournament so I've still got time to develop."

Aspinall was seen regripping his dart a lot during their tie and Van Gerwen believes it could be a sign of dartitis but more the injury.

"For me, it looks close to dartitis and that's a bit bad to be fair but mostly has to do with his injury I think but he still played quite well with his stops. I really hope he's not going through that."