Van Gerwen survives Labanauskas test, Wright eases past Kantele despite under par performance

Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright are through to the Quarter-Finals of the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen to conclude the opening night of action.

Van Gerwen came from 5-4 down to produce his best when he needed it most with two clinical 13-darters to see off the test of Darius Labanauskas 6-5. He will now face Madars Razma, the only non PDC invited player into the Quarter-Finals.

To begin the tie, Van Gerwen eased to a hold of throw after a poor start from Labanauskas. But Lucky D smashed in a 116 checkout to not hand MVG an early break opportunity and make it 1-1. He put the pressure on and was handed an opportunity himself but missed double 20 from an 80 checkout.

There was a sigh of relief for Van Gerwen as he edged 2-1 in front. A 180 and a 140 left 46 after 12 darts for Van Gerwen on the Labanauskas throw and he took it to surge ahead 3-1.

A 165 set up meant Van Gerwen had to hit 116 which he didn't and Labanauskas returned for double 12 to break back. A 73 checkout saw Labanauskas consolidate to make it 3-3. A 100 checkout saw Van Gerwen edge back in front at 4-3. 

Another hold saw Labanauskas tie it up at 4-4. Van Gerwen missed double 12 for an 84 checkout and he gave Labanauskas two opportunities to break again and he didn't need another opportunity as he made it 5-4.

A poor start looked to let Van Gerwen off the hook as he looked to force a decider which he did leaving 87 after nine darts.

He missed double 12 to break back but with Labanauskas not on a finish but he returned for double six. A timely 180 saw Van Gerwen down to 127 after nine darts in the decider as he produced when he needed it most. He set up double 16 for the match which he pinned.

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While for Wright, he eased past Marko Kantele 6-1 but the scoreline didn't tell the story in terms of his own performance with only an average of 88.6 from 'Snakebite'.

He will have to improve that likely tomorrow when he faces off against Jonny Clayton.

To begin the tie, Wright took a 3-0 lead with a 14-darter to claim a break of throw which was consolidated with a 68 checkout on double 16.

Kantele had a chance at 135 to hold but couldn't get a shot and Wright returned for double 20 to break once more at 4-0 up.

His run continued as he produced an 89 checkout on double 16 to go 5-0 up. Kantele held with a 68 checkout on double four but it was little more than a consolation as a 16-darter on double 10 sealed it for Wright.