Michael van Gerwen thrashes Jamie Lewis at World Matchplay Darts
Wednesday 22 July 2015 00:23, UK
Michael van Gerwen delivered a ruthless 13-2 beating of Jamie Lewis to flawlessly advance to the quarter-finals of the World Matchplay Darts.
The brilliant Dutchman was in no mood for a party despite the ecstatic atmosphere at Blackpool’s Winter Garden as he cut an intense, focused figure on the oche and powered past the outgunned Lewis.
He averaged 110.93 in his last-16 match, the fourth-highest in the 22-year history of the tournament. Lewis, despite winning two of 15 legs, averaged a respectable 98.86 to further illustrate the uphill battle of playing the world No 1.
Van Gerwen’s latest step towards capturing the Matchplay, a major title that he is yet to add to his illustrious trophy cabinet, was summed up on two identical occasions.
Twice during the match Lewis was afforded a brief ray of light by hitting a 180 only for the relentless Van Gerwen to immediately reply with a maximum followed by his trademark roar to the crowd.
Lewis held his first throw of the match but was quickly left behind as Van Gerwen broke him with an 86 checkout. He narrowly missed the bullseye for a spectacular 170 checkout but still won the next three legs in the blink of an eye.
Thunderous checkouts from 87 and 100 from the world No 1 visibly dampened Lewis’ spirits but, at 9-1 up, Van Gerwen briefly proved he was human. He rushed a glamorous 170 exit and had to make do with an 89 checkout on the bullseye.
Lewis stirred with his second leg but it only revved up his opponent, who wiped out three legs in quick succession to confirm his quarter-final spot.
In the last eight Van Gerwen will play Ian White, who won seven legs in a row to roar back from a break down and defeat Simon Whitlock 13-9.
The first 11 legs of the match went with the throw, although White failed to check out from 64 to earn the first break, allowing Whitlock the chance to do so from 77.
As a nervy encounter opened up, Whitlock held his next throw after White inexplicably failed to check out from 20 but, from there, the fortunes of the 'Diamond' would dramatically change.
He earned his first break to cut the deficit to 9-8 before remarkably reeling off a streak of legs to leave Whitlock behind. A second consecutive break put him 10-9 up before he checked out from 46 with Whitlock waiting to see off 25 to move within a leg of victory. The lucky 13th leg was quickly secured.
Peter Wright kicked into an extra gear after a sloppy start to advance past Andrew Gilding with a 13-7 win.
After the first four legs went with throw the fun-loving Wright had a frustrated expression until snatching a 3-2 lead against the throw before the first break in play, which would eventually prove vital.
Five legs in a row went against the throw until Wright, after hitting seven perfect darts, opened a 6-4 lead, a trick he repeated with a wry smile as he went 8-4 up. Gilding briefly closed the gap before missing double top twice and handing ‘Snakebite’ a ninth leg.
From there it never looked in doubt for the colourfully dressed Wright, who hit 10 180s and averaged 96.53 as he booked a maiden Matchplay quarter-final place.
Wright will next play Gerwyn Price, who claimed a shock 13-10 win over Adrian Lewis in the final match of the night.
World Matchplay Darts night four results:
Peter Wright 13-7 Andrew Gilding
Ian White 13-9 Simon Whitlock
Michael van Gerwen 13-2 Jamie Lewis
Gerwyn Price 13-10 Adrian Lewis
