Robert Thornton proved he can beat top players like Michael van Gerwen, says Wayne Mardle
Friday 16 October 2015 11:09, UK
Robert Thornton grabbed his opportunities to win the World Grand Prix final while Michael van Gerwen faltered, said Wayne Mardle.
The Scottish thrower caused a shock to claim the Dublin trophy by edging the deciding set to win 5-4 in a thrilling back-and-forth match-up on Saturday night.
Mardle believes that Van Gerwen made more mistakes when the going got tough, leading to Thornton's surprise win.
Every big shot, when the opportunity came about, he took it. Van Gerwen didn't, and that's why Thornton is the champion.
"The reason he won were the opportunities," Mardle told Sky Sports.
"In the first leg of the last set he took out 90 on bullseye, double top. There were two brilliant shots before that.
"But it took a Van Gerwen miss for him to take out that 90. Every big shot, when the opportunity came about, he took it. Van Gerwen didn't, and that's why Thornton is the champion."
The World Grand Prix this year may come to be defined by shock results, stemming from Phil Taylor's early exit and including a premature loss for Gary Anderson.
Thornton's victory over Van Gerwen completed the trend, but as Mardle explains, the surprises were caused by the chasing pack improving their skills to challenge the sport's elite.
"We've seen upsets from the outset to the very end," he said.
"The top players know they can be beaten by the likes of Robert, who is ranked at No 7, let's not forget that.
"When we talk about the top players we talk about Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson, Van Gerwen, Peter Wright, James Wade, Adrian Lewis. We don't seem to go down to Robert Thornton.
"But he is special, he really is."
