MVG hits two nine-dart finishes during qualifying match against Ryan Murray
Saturday 11 February 2017 10:50, UK
Michael van Gerwen became only the second player in darting history to hit two nine-dart finishes in one match during the UK Open Qualifiers in Wigan on Friday.
The reigning world champion followed up his impressive Premier League victory over Peter Wright on Thursday night in Nottingham with two perfect finishes against his opponent, Ryan Murray, to join Phil Taylor in the history books.
Dutch ace Van Gerwen had survived two match darts against Adam Hunt during his second-round match before scraping through 6-5 in the end.
But he was back to his best in his next match as he stunned watchers at the Robin Park Tennis Centre with a darting masterpiece during his 6-2 victory over Scotland's Murray, who is ranked 1023 in the world.
He scored 180, 177 before finishing 144 in the fourth leg for his first nine-darter and the 27-year-old sealed the win by scoring 177, 180 and then taking out 144 once more in leg eight.
"Something clicked after I survived match darts against Adam Hunt and I could feel I might do something special today," said Van Gerwen.
"I'm very proud to achieve this but I'm also experienced enough to know that it's only two legs, so it was great to go on and win the tournament too."
The only other player to have managed two nine-darters in a single game is 16-time world champion Taylor, who landed his pair during his victory over James Wade in the 2010 Premier League Darts final.
Taylor also hit two nine-dart finishes during one day on the PDC ProTour during the 2014 Coral UK Open Qualifiers in Wigan, while Van Gerwen missed double 12 to complete back-to-back perfect legs against James Wade at the 2013 World Championship.
The £60,000 tournament in Wigan is the fourth of the six UK Open Qualifiers, as PDC Tour Card Holders and PDPA Associate Members compete.
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