Michael van Gerwen warns Raymond van Barneveld ahead of World Darts Championship clash
"Raymond didn't play his A-game? I never saw his average at 115 in his life"
Thursday 28 December 2017 20:55, UK
Michael van Gerwen says Dutch rival Raymond van Barneveld will not be able to hit the same heights as him ahead of their World Darts Championship quarter-final clash on Friday.
The pair will meet on the Alexandra Palace oche for the third straight year in what promises to be another tungsten thriller with a spot in the last four on the line.
Van Barneveld produced a superb performance to win 4-3 in 2016, but Van Gerwen avenged the loss with a 6-2 demolition in one of the greatest matches ever seen the following year.
The 'Green Machine' hit a tournament-record average of 114.05 to win, while the five-time world champion averaged 109.34, the highest losing average in a World Championship match.
Van Gerwen survived a huge scare against Gerwyn Price in the last 16 on Wednesday night. The Welshman came from 2-0 down to level before missing four darts to go 3-2 in front as the the two-time world champion capitalised to progress.
The world No 1 averaged just over 100, hit 12 180s and a maximum 170 checkout but only won the same amount of legs (13) as Price in what he deemed a below-par performance.
Raymond shouldn't think about a 115 average - that's what I did to him last year.
"I didn't play well today, simple," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. "My game wasn't 100 per cent and I made it tough for myself but all credit to him - he kept fighting; he never gives up.
"I have to play better against Raymond. This was probably 85 per cent of how I can play, I'm sure I can play better against Raymond."
Van Barneveld reeled off nine straight legs for a 4-1 victory over another Dutchman, Vincent van der Voort, and promised to bring his very best form to the table when he meets Van Gerwen.
"I didn't play my A-game and still averaged 101 so I'm pleased with that," said Van Barneveld. "A couple of times I gave away a few shots on doubles and he was there to punish me so I'm happy with the win of course.
"I was hitting tons but not too many 140s or 180s so I'm pleased with averaging 101. That's three matches and three 100 averages so I'm happy with that."
And Van Gerwen started the mind-games ahead their all-Dutch battle by claiming that he has not seen Van Barneveld's so-called A-game.
"Raymond didn't play his A-game? I never saw him average 115 in his life," added defending champion Van Gerwen. "A 101 average is just about what he does - Raymond and 101. He's a very good dart player, very good finisher, and he can beat anyone with 101, but Raymond shouldn't think about a 115 average - that's what I did to him last year."
The 2018 World Championship from Alexandra Palace continues with a mouthwatering double session of quarter-final action on Friday on Sky Sports Darts, coverage of the afternoon's play gets underway from 12.30pm with the evening underway at 7pm
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