MvG MOVES THROUGH! 🟢 Far from a vintage Van Gerwen, but it's a victorious Van Gerwen, who comes out on top in the all-Dutch clash with Martijn Kleermaker! He comes from 6-3 down to secure a 10-6 success... Up next 👉 Peter Wright v Callan Rydz
Michael van Gerwen and Nathan Aspinall are the latest two players in the hat for the Last 16 draw later this afternoon at the 2023 UK Open.
Van Gerwen survived a scare at times but won six legs in a row to see off fellow Dutchman, Martijn Kleermaker on the Main Stage 10-6. This with a 98 average and four 180's.
'The Dutch Giant' was looking on for a potential shock as Kleermaker went 3-1 and then 6-3 up towards the respective breaks but Van Gerwen as ever turned the tables breaking at 6-5 down and sealing parity before leading.
He did not relinquish a leg from there with Kleermaker doing little to trouble MVG as he eased to victory after previously looking perilous.
While for Aspinall, he dumped out a Dutchman as Dirk van Duijvenbode fell by the wayside in an absolute thriller over on Stage Two which many will feel vindicates that it should've been on the Main Stage.
It was 10-8 to Aspinall in the end as the 2019 champion sealed victory in a match which featured 19 180's between the pair with a high checkout of 140 from 'The Asp'. Dodging a bullet against Alan Soutar yesterday, it was the usual plucky display from the Premier League star and he continues to grow into the tournament.
On the Outer Boards, Joe Cullen and Brendan Dolan are also through with only Jonny Clayton - Jose de Sousa and Steve Beaton - Rob Cross left to go with the former underway.
MvG MOVES THROUGH! 🟢 Far from a vintage Van Gerwen, but it's a victorious Van Gerwen, who comes out on top in the all-Dutch clash with Martijn Kleermaker! He comes from 6-3 down to secure a 10-6 success... Up next 👉 Peter Wright v Callan Rydz