“You haven’t achieved anything yet. It’s just one match” – Michael van Gerwen keeps his feet on the ground after positive UK Open start

Michael van Gerwen booked his place in the last 32 of the UK Open on Friday evening, but the three-time winner of the tournament was not entirely satisfied. The Dutchman beat Nathan Aspinall 10-8 in the fourth round in Minehead, although he felt the match should have been wrapped up earlier.

Van Gerwen produced strong spells against the Englishman, but let the contest stay tense for too long by missing chances. Speaking to Viaplay afterwards, he called it a good win while also pointing to clear areas for improvement. “I’m definitely satisfied. Especially some phases of the match were really fantastic, I think. But there were also a few negatives. I’m always critical of myself, so there are still a few big negatives as well."

According to Van Gerwen, the turning point came in the spell after an interval, when he briefly lost control of the match. “I could have very easily won 10–7. The way I came out after the second break wasn’t fantastic either."

The Brabant native stressed that despite that dip he struck at the right moments, which he believes ultimately made the difference. “I think I stayed very calm, struck at the right moments, and I think that’s the most important thing.”

The fact that Van Gerwen needed three match darts to finally close it out was, in his view, something he needs to work on. “You want to comfortably finish the match after the second break. I think maybe I got a little too comfortable after that break. Then your sharpness drops just a little bit, and that can’t happen. So next time that needs to be better as well, and then I can still show a lot of great things — I’m sure of that."

For Van Gerwen, the victory also marked an improvement on recent editions in which he suffered early exits. “Yes, back then it was the first round. Exactly. And three years ago I also played the first round against Nathan Aspinall."

The UK Open is a tournament Van Gerwen has won three times in the past. This year he feels a strong result is necessary to really kick-start his season.

“I definitely need it, and I’m aware of that. So you have to try to show yourself, to shine, and just try to win your matches. And then a lot is still possible."

Still, the Dutchman does not want to look too far ahead, despite his impressive spells against Aspinall.

“You haven’t achieved anything yet. It’s just one match. Everyone is already celebrating, of course. I played a good match against Nathan Aspinall, sure, but tomorrow and the day after there are still many great matches ahead. So you just have to be ready again for every match."