22/11/2020

Whitlock defeats Van Gerwen with incredible record breaking display

Simon Whitlock is the final player through to the semi-finals at the Grand Slam of Darts after a simply incredible win against Michael van Gerwen to round out proceedings in Coventry.

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Whitlock was never ahead in the match but produced one of the finest displays of 180 hitting ever seen breaking the Grand Slam record in the process with 20 eclipsing Adrian Lewis's record of 19.

Van Gerwen missed seven match darts en route to defeat which gave Whitlock the chance to claim it and he duly obliged after taking it all the way to a decider and his streak over Van Gerwen in televised major tournaments continued reversing his poor record over the years.

World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and now Grand Slam of Darts have all seen 'The Wizard' see off the World Number One.

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Like alluded to Whitlock never led in the tie and at the first break, it was 3-2 to van Gerwen despite three 180's and a 124 checkout from Whitlock.

Whitlock stopped the rot at 5-3 down but Van Gerwen always kept him at arms length going into the break at 6-4.

Even back-to-back 180's and a double eight for a break couldn't see Whitlock on level terms as he messed up the finish and allowed Van Gerwen to make it 7-5. Whitlock put it up to 11 180's in 15 legs but Van Gerwen was seemingly heading to the finishing line at 9-6.

He led at 10-7 and asserted his authority going 11-7 ahead with a break. Whitlock though made sure it was far from over making it 11-9 at the break. He made it parity at 12-12 but a potentially pivotal moment happened soon after as Van Gerwen crashed in a 146 checkout to break and go within a leg at 15-13.

But he squandered three match darts and a break followed for Whitlock and he sent it all the way before the thrilling conclusion which saw Van Gerwen bust eight and Whitlock return for a second dart double 16.