Van Gerwen reacts to comment Whitlock: 'He doesn't want to play me'

Not Gary Anderson but Michael van Gerwen will take on Simon Whitlock in the Quarter-Finals of the Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday evening.

Whitlock hadn't counted on that himself. The Australian had predicted that Gary Anderson would beat the Dutchman in the second round. The Wizard was completely wrong, as Van Gerwen triumphed 10-2 against Anderson.

The world number one responded to Whitlock's comment after his victory against Anderson. ''He doesn't want to play me. He knows he's got more chance against Gary than against me. It's a fact because he won more games over the years against Gary than against me. I know Simon really well and I know exactly why he says that and that's the reason.''

Whitlock managed to win the two past meetings with Van Gerwen this season. However, according to the Dutchman, that does not matter in the coming game. ''If I need to talk about revenge, I probably still owe him a few ones because I have beaten him so many times in my life. I think there is a different Michael at the moment. I feel comfortable and I'm ready for it.''