Michael van Gerwen sees off fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld.
Thursday 25 May 2017 09:08, UK
Gary Anderson began the defence of his Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters title with a thumping 10-3 victory over Phil Taylor on Wednesday, as Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright and Gerwyn Price also picked up wins.
The two-time world champion strung together a sequence of six straight legs to open up a 7-1 lead over the Stoke legend, averaging over 104 at the time.
Taylor did manage a single break of throw and looked set to break again in the 11th leg before Anderson took out a key 120 to move within two legs of the victory.
The Scot hit eight maximums and ended Taylor's hopes of a first title in Dubai in what could be the 16-time world champion's last appearance in the desert, as he set up a last four clash with Wright.
"We all want to win, we're all after the title and you just have to beat everyone." said Anderson. "It's always nice to get past the first round and Peter will be tough to beat.
"I'll do my best and try and win here again but it's never easy these days, let's see what happens."
Anderson's fellow countryman had earlier booked his place in the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters with an impressive 10-5 victory over Dave Chisnall.
World champion Van Gerwen began his quest to claim a fourth Dubai title with a 10-5 victory over fellow Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld.
Van Gerwen, who has only been beaten once in Dubai in the previous four years of the event, averaged 104.87 and will face Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals.
"I'm not playing perfectly but I am getting closer, I want to win this tournament," said Van Gerwen.
"Gerwyn made the final of the UK Open this year and deserves to be here. My experience will make a difference but he is a good player and I will have to play well."
World Series debutant Price overcame James Wade in a last leg decider in their quarter-final, with the left-hander falling to defeat despite missing double 12 for a nine-dart finish during the match.
"I think I've worked hard this year and have earned my place." said Price. "I was over-thinking things at the start of the match so had to keep my cool and realise it was just one break.
"I knew I had the game in me to win and I've proved that again tonight."
The Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters will conclude on Thursday with the semi-finals and final.
Wednesday May 24
Quarter-Finals
Gerwyn Price 10-9 James Wade
Peter Wright 10-5 Dave Chisnall
Gary Anderson 10-3 Phil Taylor
Michael van Gerwen 10-5 Raymond van Barneveld
Best of 19 legs
Thursday May 25
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v Gerwyn Price
Gary Anderson v Peter Wright
Best of 21 legs
Final
Van Gerwen/Price v Anderson/Wright
Best of 21 legs
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