Tuesday 3 January 2017 17:09, UK
Michael van Gerwen will be relieved that his year-long dominance didn’t go to waste at the World Darts Championship, says Wayne Mardle.
The world No 1 has enjoyed a trophy-laden 2016 but only his 7-3 win against Gary Anderson in Monday's final made it worthwhile, our Sky Sports expert explained.
"Because he's had such an extraordinary year, it will be relief," Mardle said.
Rather than the euphoria of winning, which is what usually happens, for him I believe he will be more relieved than anything.
"Rather than the euphoria of winning, which is what usually happens, for him I believe he will be more relieved than anything.
"He sees [the World Championship] as his to lose. That's not putting anybody else down. But I think he saw it like that.
"That's why he said: 'If I lose it will be a disaster'. It wasn't about anyone else, it was always about him.
"Every time Michael was asked a question in this tournament - whether it was against Cristo Reyes, Mark Webster, Daryl Gurney and especially Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] and [Anderson] - he has out-scored his opponents.
"He even out-scored Anderson, who is without doubt the second highest scorer. He can out-play them for longer, and that's why he's the champ."
