Michael van Gerwen defeats Dave Chisnall to win Perth Masters title
Saturday 27 August 2016 17:27, UK
Michael van Gerwen claimed his first World Series silverware on Australian soil after a comfortable 11-4 win over Dave Chisnall in the Perth Masters final.
The world No 1 had previously been defeated in two Sydney Darts Masters finals and at the 2014 Perth Darts Masters since the PDC introduced the World Series of Darts three years ago, but he was not going to be denied a 14th tournament win of 2016.
Van Gerwen powered into a 4-1 lead in the early stages of the match, but Chisnall threatened a fightback as he trimmed the deficit to 5-3.
The Dutchman produced a typically ruthless response, stringing together three legs, including an 11-darter and soon completed the victory.
Earlier in the day, Van Gerwen had swept aside Peter Wright 11-5 in the semis, winning five successive legs early on to move into an advantage he would never lose.
Chisnall had followed up Friday's superb 10-7 quarter-final win over world champion Gary Anderson with a brilliant display to see off Raymond van Barneveld 11-8 in their semi-final.
"This is my first World Series win in Australia so it's a great victory," said van Gerwen. "Dave's such a good player and you have to produce your best game, but I went into the final with a lot of confidence because I had a fantastic record against him.
"I found it hard and didn't play my best game, but think I did well to win this trophy and I'm glad I did.
"I think tonight I played well; against Peter Wright I didn't give him any chances and against Dave I did the right thing at the right moments, and if you want to win the tournament you have to do that."
Semi-finals (best of 21 legs)
Dave Chisnall 11-8 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 11-5 Peter Wright
