Thursday 7 July 2016 18:39, UK
Gary Anderson warmed up for this month's World Matchplay with an 8-6 win over Michael van Gerwen in the Tokyo Darts Masters final.
The Scotsman, who retained his World Championship title in January, ended with an average of 104.71 as he claimed a confidence boosting victory over the world No 1.
Anderson secured a crucial first break in leg 11 and held throw to open a 7-5 lead, but Van Gerwen cut the deficit in the next leg, only to miss two darts at double 16 to take the match to a decider.
A classy 108 finish from Anderson would seal a third World Series title and he can look ahead to his first-round match against Alan Norris at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
"It's great to win here," said Anderson. "I was really impressed with the Japanese guys this year, they're getting better and better.
"The win gives me confidence, and I'm looking forward to going home to relax and prepare for Blackpool, which should be a cracking tournament."
Anderson had begun the evening with an impressive 8-3 quarter-final win over Raymond van Barneveld, while he defeated Adrian Lewis 8-5 in the semi-finals.
Van Gerwen strung together a four-leg run in his 8-6 quarter-final win over Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals, but completed a more comfortable 8-3 win over James Wade in the semis.
Defending champion Phil Taylor suffered a tense 8-7 defeat to Wade in the quarters and Peter Wright, another of last year's finalists, was beaten 8-6 by Adrian Lewis in their quarter-final.
Quarter-Finals
Gary Anderson 8-3 Raymond van Barneveld
Adrian Lewis 8-6 Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen 8-6 Dave Chisnall
James Wade 8-7 Phil Taylor
Semi-Finals
Gary Anderson 8-5 Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen 8-3 James Wade
Final
Gary Anderson 8-6 Michael van Gerwen
Watch the opening night of the World Matchplay from 7pm on Saturday July 16, live on Sky Sports 2.
