Michael van Gerwen's fine run continues with victory in Glasgow
Monday 7 November 2016 12:07, UK
Michael van Gerwen's fine year continued with his 23rd tournament victory as he retained the Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals on Sunday night, beating Peter Wright for a second successive year.
Van Gerwen had defeated Wright 11-10 in the inaugural World Series of Darts Finals a year ago, and the world No 1 held his nerve to win the £30,000 first prize with an 11-9 victory.
The lead changed hands three times as Wright eked out an early 4-3 advantage only to see Van Gerwen win five of the next six legs to move 8-5 ahead.
He also took two of the next three to edge to the brink of victory before Wright took three successive legs to get the boisterous crowd on their feet.
The Dutchman, though, posted his ninth 180 before finally sealing the win on double two.
"This is another great win for me," said Van Gerwen. "I had to work really hard - Peter played really well but I'm really glad I won the game.
Wright added: "When you come home to Scotland, I try and play well for the fans and I think I do.
"Many people out there believe that when I win my first TV title I'm going to win lots after that, and I believe that too."
Van Gerwen had earlier enjoyed a comfortable run to the final as he brushed aside Saturday's narrow 6-5 win over Gerwyn Price with an unplayable 10-0 whitewash of Simon Whitlock in the quarter-finals before sweeping past Dave Chisnall 11-3 in the last four.
Wright followed up Saturday's second-round win over Daryl Gurney with a 10-7 quarter-final defeat of Joe Cullen, before seeing off Phil Taylor in the semi-finals for a second successive year with a narrow 11-10 success.
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