Van Gerwen staves off late comeback from Aspinall to seal sixth World Grand Prix crown, first since 2019

Sunday, 09 October 2022 at 22:08

Michael van Gerwen has sealed a third major of the season and a sixth World Grand Prix crown in his career after seeing off Nathan Aspinall in a 5-3 sets win.

Van Gerwen hasn't won the double in tournament since 2019 but adds to his triumphs at the Premier League and World Matchplay after going 4-0 up and surviving darts to go to a final set in a spirited fightback from 'The Asp'.

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A 116 checkout started for MVG as he held throw. A 180 was hit by Aspinall and he took aim to hold but missed darts and an 83 checkout was pinned by MVG to break and head towards the opening set. A 58 checkout saw MVG pin it.

Aspinall hit double 12 to open the second set. Both hit 180’s but Van Gerwen hit double 20 to level up. He missed 145 on double 20 and Aspinall hit a last dart double eight in response to go one away from levelling up in sets. MVG hit double eight to go one away from the set and sealed it on double 20 for a 2-0 sets lead.

Van Gerwen hit a 112 checkout to continue the steamrollering. Aspinall held throw at 1-1 on double 20. A 124 setup left double eight for MVG which he pinned to hold and go one away from a 3-0 sets lead. A 56 checkout saw Van Gerwen seal it.

Aspinall held albeit under severe pressure on double 20. He hit a 180 but couldn’t pin double 12 from 84 and MVG hit double 20 to level up.

MVG hit a 180 to leave 61 but despite getting a second shot, Aspinall couldn’t hold and Van Gerwen hit a last dart double nine to go one away from a 4-0 sets lead and he sealed it on double 10.

A 66 checkout saw MVG hold and go two legs away. Aspinall hit back with a 57 checkout in a must win set. MVG hit a 180 but it was to pressure as Aspinall went one away from the set himself.

It was one he took with a 56 checkout on double 20. Aspinall began the next set pinning double 20 to hold. Van Gerwen levelled up with a 54 checkout.

Aspinall hit an 89 checkout with Van Gerwen waiting to break to go one away. A 52 checkout saw Aspinall make it 4-2 in sets. He pinned double eight to continue the improbable comeback.

MVG missed a 121 checkout followed by three further darts and Aspinall hit a 56 checkout and he was suddenly throwing to go one set behind. He hit double five to do so.

Van Gerwen hit double 10 to break as he looked to dent the comeback. A 114 checkout was missed by Aspinall and Van Gerwen hit double 10. A 56 checkout saw Aspinall hold and he broke on double 20. Aspinall missed two darts for the set though and MVG hit double six to seal it.

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VICTORY FOR VAN GERWEN! 🏆 Michael van Gerwen defies an inspired fightback from Nathan Aspinall to close out a 5-3 victory and clinch his sixth World Grand Prix title! What an incredible final! 🔥 #WGPDarts