Van Gerwen relieved to be through after tough test against Ratajski: 'You have to do something special against Krzysztof, he's a silent assassin'

Michael van Gerwen is through to the second round at the World Grand Prix after coming through a tough test against Krzysztof Ratajski with the match sent all the way to a deciding leg.

Van Gerwen who hasn't been in the best form as of late said he was 'proud' of how he played after all the talk being about his slump pre match and especially against Ratajski who he dubbed the 'Silent Assassin'.

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"It was really tough, you have to do something special against Krzysztof. He's a silent assassin," said Van Gerwen.

"It's always going to be hard in the first round of a World Grand Prix with the short format.

"The third set I felt was slipping out of my hands and I thought 'this cannot happen'.

"I produced the 103 finish when I really needed it and that gives me huge confidence.

"The pressure is on my shoulders even more at the moment because I haven't showed my 'A game' in the last few months, so I'm proud of myself for how I played today."

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