Michael van Gerwen beats Phil Taylor 16-13 to win the Grand Slam of Darts
Monday 16 November 2015 09:53, UK
Michael van Gerwen proved he is the best player on planet darts as he claimed the Grand Slam for the very first time with a 16-13 victory over Phil Taylor in Wolverhampton.
The 26-year-old Dutchman has now won every major title inside the PDC after defeating the greatest player of all time in a rip-roaring contest at the Civic Hall.
"It means a lot to me," Van Gerwen told Sky Sports HD 1. "Now I've won all the majors. To beat Phil here in the final is a great honour for me and I'm so happy to have won this title. I've never won this trophy before and it means a lot to me.
"When you get in front you don't want to give it away, and I'm really glad that I took my chances and I think he can only blame himself. There can only be one winner and that was me."
Taylor, who was bidding for his seventh crown at the event, made a blistering start with an 11-dart opening leg and soon steamrollered his way into a 5-2 lead at the end of the opening session.
Van Gerwen was missing crucial doubles as the 16-time world champion quickly stretched his advantage to 7-3, taking out 106 for a break of throw to move four legs clear.
But the world No 1 soon found his rhythm by winning six legs in a row to storm into the lead for the first time in what was turning out to be a tension-packed tungsten tussle.
Back-to-back legs helped defending champion Taylor to level the clash at nine-all before the Dutch master stepped up another gear to take out an impressive 121 checkout in a superb 12-dart leg.
Taylor, who has held a major title every year since 2004, but has yet to win one so far this year, pulled it back to 14-13 before Van Gerwen nailed double 16 to move one leg away.
And he broke Taylor's resistance by taking out double 18 at the second attempt to follow up his previous Masters, UK Open, World Matchplay and European Championship victories by scooping the £100,000 first prize.
Taylor, 55, said that missed doubles cost him his chance of retaining his Wolverhampton title although he vowed to return stronger.
"He's a phenomenal darts player - he really is. I had my chances but I didn't take them," he said.
"I'm proud to get to the final, but I'm a bit disappointed I've lost."
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