Michael van Gerwen beats Gary Anderson to regain World Darts Championship title
Tuesday 3 January 2017 17:07, UK
Michael van Gerwen claimed the World Darts Championship trophy for a second time after his 7-3 victory denied Gary Anderson a treble of title wins at Alexandra Palace.
The world No 1 produced another blistering display of high-scoring in a dominant victory over two-time defending champion Anderson, whose hopes of a famous hat-trick were crushed by Van Gerwen.
Both men shared a total of 42 180s, which was a record for maximums hit in any match, and Van Gerwen would end with an average of 107.79 after securing the Sid Waddell Trophy.
The Dutchman reeled off the opening set in a blur of green, pinning the bullseye for a 122 finish in the very first leg, and would open an early lead with a composed 36 checkout.
But Anderson had expertly held his nerve in the previous two finals and applied the brakes to 'The Green Machine' by finding double 20 to level the match.
The first break would come in the following set, with Anderson hitting tops again with arrow-like accuracy, and he pinched the third set on double 12 after more stray darts from Van Gerwen.
There would be a furious response from Van Gerwen in the following set as he traded more legs with the Scotsman before levelling the match 2-2 on a decisive 86 checkout.
Both players were scoring freely in a high quality contest, but Van Gerwen's deadly accuracy at the doubles was keeping Anderson at arm's length and he opened a 4-2 lead with a succession of legs.
Anderson's crown was slipping from his grasp while he lost 12 of 13 legs and Van Gerwen pulled 5-2 ahead following a 125 finish.
There would be no respite for the Scot in the next set, with Van Gerwen firing out a 100 checkout to leave himself within touching distance of the trophy.
The interference of an intruder on stage briefly seemed to break Van Gerwen's concentration in the ninth set and Anderson extended his reign a little longer.
But Van Gerwen would end his three-year wait for another world title by hitting the bull to seal a superb victory.
