Michael van Gerwen will be targeting more title success at the World Grand Prix
Friday 2 October 2015 08:30, UK
With the World Grand Prix just days away, here's a reminder of the drama that has already unfolded at some of this year's major tournaments.
Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson are part of a fiercely competitive field in Dublin as they target more title success in 2015...
Live World Grand Prix Darts
World Championship
Van Gerwen entered the tournament as defending champion and made smooth progress to the semi-finals, averaging over 105 in a quarter-final win over Robert Thornton.
But Anderson derailed the Dutchman in the last four when he pulled off a 6-3 win. In the other semi, Phil Taylor overcame his old rival Raymond van Barneveld 6-2 to stay on course for a 17th title.
The final delivered the expected drama as Anderson was briefly unsettled by an altercation with a spectator and an untimely bounce out.
'The Flying Scotsman' quickly regained his composure and he pinned double 12 for a tense 7-6 win over Taylor.
The Premier League
Ten of the world's top darts players toured Britain and Ireland during another thrilling campaign, with Van Barneveld attempting to defend his 2014 crown.
There were plenty of high checkouts, a few fall-outs, and a major shock on the way to the play-off night as Taylor failed to reach the season finale for the first time ever.
Anderson was competing for more silverware and he fought back for a 10-9 semi-final win after Dave Chisnall missed three darts for the match. Van Barneveld let a commanding lead - and his crown - slip away as he suffered a 10-8 defeat to Van Gerwen in the other semi-final, despite coming within inches of a nine-darter.
MVG would face his Ally Pally conqueror in the final, but Anderson again displayed the superior finishing during an 11-7 win.
World Cup of Darts
National pride was at stake as 32 teams headed to Germany and this year's tournament produced four days of thrilling action.
The Gibraltar pairing could not contain their emotions after completing their first ever win in the event, while Hong Kong's Scott MacKenzie and Royden Lam earned new fans on their run to the quarter-finals.
The Dutch duo of Van Gerwen and Van Barneveld were defending the trophy, but fell short in the semi-finals as they were ousted by Scotland's Anderson and Peter Wright.
Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis had eased England through the draw without dropping a leg and they comfortably beat Belgium 2-0 in their semi.
The Stoke men both played their part in the 3-2 final win, with Taylor averaging 113 during his 4-0 rout of Wright in the singles, while Lewis held his nerve to land the trophy with another decisive singles win over 'Snakebite.'
World Matchplay
Taylor had reigned supreme in the Blackpool event, winning 15 titles since it began in 1995, including the last seven.
'The Power' appeared to have regained his vintage form while negotiating the early rounds, but other big names fell by the wayside with Adrian Lewis suffering a shock defeat to Gerwyn Price, while Mensur Suljovic ousted Anderson.
Van Gerwen, a tearful losing finalist in 2014, had cut a path to the semis with his blistering scoring and he booked a repeat appearance in the final after a comfortable 17-12 win over Wright.
But Taylor's long winning run at the Winter Gardens was ended in the other semi by Wade, who claimed a 17-14 win, despite his opponent's heavier scoring.
With another title in touching distance, Van Gerwen raced into a 15-9 lead against the outgunned Wade and sealed an 18-12 win with double 20 to win the tournament for the first time.
Watch the opening night of the World Grand Prix this Sunday on Sky Sports 3 from 7pm.
