Back-to-back TV titles for world No 1 who heads to the Grand Slam of Darts back to his best
Monday 6 November 2017 20:20, UK
Michael van Gerwen beat Gary Anderson to claim the World Series of Darts title at Glasgow's Braehead Arena on Sunday.
In a repeat of their their thrilling World Championship final earlier this year, MVG prevailed with an 11-6 victory over his familiar foe to follow up his European Championship title with another TV crown.
Much like his victory in Belgium which saw him claim the European Championship for a fourth straight year it was another successful defence for Van Gerwen who beat Max Hopp, Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney before his win over Anderson gave him the title for the third year in a row.
The world No 1 has been unbeaten since the season-ending World Series Finals were introduced in 2015, and extended that winning run to 12 games as well as the £50,000 first prize.
"I'm really glad that I won this trophy again," said Van Gerwen.
"Gary always makes you work hard and you know what you're going to get from him.
"Winning the first leg, when he missed three darts at a double, gave me confidence from the beginning and from there my finishing and scoring power was there at the right moments.
"Every tournament is special and this is fantastic. Around this period you want to perform close to your best and I want to win every tournament.
"I have that extra gear when I have to and you always have to believe in yourself. I always want to perform and you always need to be hungry, otherwise you can't win."
Anderson's run to the final was a welcome return to form for the two-time world champion whose focus has understandably been elsewhere after the birth of his second child but showed flashes of his best on route to the final in front of a delighted home crowd.
As two of the PDC's finest, the pair head to Wolverhampton next week for the Grand Slam of Darts, live on Sky Sports from Saturday, at the head of the betting to claim the title as the best of the BDO challenge the PDC.
Anderson - a World Series winner in Dubai and Perth this year - followed up Saturday's victory over Chris Dobey by defeating Gerwyn Price 10-8 and James Wade 11-5 on his way to the final.
"Michael's good, isn't he! I love playing Michael, I've been battered tonight but I'm looking forward to next time," Anderson said.
"I'm struggling to keep up with him - I used to be able to play at his pace! This was a good weekend for me - it's always nice to get to a final in Scotland and it's a shame I couldn't win in front of my own fans."
Ladbrokes World Series of Darts Finals
Sunday
Quarter Finals
James Wade (5) 10-6 Dimitri Van den Bergh
Gary Anderson (1) 10-8 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen (2) 10-4 Rob Cross
Daryl Gurney (6) 10-7 Peter Wright (3)
Semi Finals
Gary Anderson 11-5 James Wade
Michael van Gerwen 11-8 Daryl Gurney
Final
Michael van Gerwen 11-6 Gary Anderson
Look out for more from our Rob Cross exclusive next week as we build up to the Grand Slam of Darts - we'll hear from Rob Cross, current BDO champion Glen Durrant and more as well as our Sky Sports experts who will help us preview the tournament.
The Grand Slam of Darts gets underway live on Sky Sports on Saturday November 11 with a double session as the best of the PDC compete against the best of the BDO
Keep up to date with the news as the tungsten enters its busiest time of year with the PDC World Championships just around the corner get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts.
