The old Michael van Gerwen returns in style and he says it's just the beginning
Dutch darts hero produces some moments of magic in front of adoring home crowd as he sets up epic clash with World No.1.
Magic Michael van Gerwen says he’s battling back and it’s just the beginning as he set up a super Sunday showdown with the World No.1.
The Dutch star sent his fans in Amsterdam wild with a thrilling last-leg win over Rob Cross in the last 16 of the World Series of Darts Finals.
Van Gerwen is still finding his path back from off-oche issues with divorce and illness to his father causing him anguish in the past few months.
But the three-time World champion is determined to keep fighting for his elite best again and says there are signs.
Van Gerwen explained: “Yeah, it’s the Michael of old. You need to stand up when you have to do it. Every game is different, every circumstance, every venue is different and the player you play against as well. You need to make sure you keep your head focused and that’s what I’m doing at the moment. I’m sharp, I’m full of energy and I want to do more. This is only the beginning, I think.
“I wasn’t playing absolutely great, but I knew I had it in me. Then I made it quite difficult for myself in some patches in the game. It’s always hard to play Rob. Rob is a very strange player to play. You don’t get a lot of energy out of him, so you need to make it yourself. I’m trying all my best and that’s the only thing I could do and I’m really glad I did it.
“Yeah, signs, but it doesn’t mean anything yet. I’m in the quarter-finals now, so I need to put my head on. We all know where I’m coming from. I’ve had a very tough period in my life and I’m battling back and I think with results like this, it definitely helps.
“The only thing I have to do is prove it to myself. I still love the game, I still love what I do and I think that’s the only thing that matters.”
Van Gerwen now faces Luke Humphries and hopes winning the last two games against Cool Hand could give him an edge. He said: “Yes, I hope so. Luke is a fantastic player, I don’t think he’s in the best form of his life, neither am I, but I think we can do something. It’s a longer format and I feel good, so we’re going to see what happens.”
Humphries knows the scenario after defeating Kevin Doets to progress and said: “If he beats me, that’s hat-trick. He’s a great friend of mine. I absolutely love Michael. He’s one of the funniest guys on tour, one of the nicest guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. He’s looked after me over the years of being in the same management group. I’ve got a lot of time for him, but of course, it’s business. He thrives on the situation of being in his own environment.
“It’s his home country. I know he lives very close to here. It’s going to be a tough task because the crowd is going to be behind him. Of course, I’ve played him in this environment many, many times. I beat him in Rotterdam in the Premier League last year. I’m kind of experienced on the fact.
“I think I’m one of those players that the first round is the one to take me out. That’s when I’m the most vulnerable as a player. I’m a vulnerable person early on, but when I get into the competition, get further in the rounds, that’s when I become a lot more dangerous.
“Once you’ve won a first round game, you relax a little bit. No-one wants to lose first game and I got through that and then you kind of relax a little bit. That’s my attitude anyway. It was a lot smoother tonight. It felt a lot more of an accomplished performance.”