Tuesday 18 April 2017 15:05, UK
Michael van Gerwen claimed a third successive German Darts Masters, with victory over Jelle Klaasen in the final sealing a dominant weekend display.
The world champion was in spectacular form throughout in Jena, averaging more than 100 in all five of his matches, culminating in his 6-2 success over fellow countryman Klaasen, who put his disappointing Premier League behind him in a fine run to the final.
Van Gerwen returns to Premier League action on Thursday in Belfast when he takes on Raymond van Barneveld and Barney was one of the men who lost to MVG in Germany.
Having averaged 110 in his victory over John Michael on Sunday, Van Gerwen returned to the stage to better that and see off Cristo Reyes en route to the last eight.
Barney was the next to fall, as MVG upped his check-out average to 75% to go with a 105.23 average in a 6-3 win, before keeping the momentum up with a 6-2 victory over Simon Whitlock that featured a 107.33 average.
Van Gerwen was again at his best in the final, kicking things off with an 11-dart leg as he took out 93 for the lead, before punishing three missed darts from Klaasen to double his lead with a break of throw before tops moved him halfway to further European Tour glory.
Klaasen got off the mark in leg four as he capitalised on two missed darts at double 12 from Van Gerwen to take out 80 and get his first leg on the board.
The pair then traded legs before Van Gerwen took out 100 to complete an 11-darter which moved him on the brink of victory, before landing tops to seal a 6-2 success and scoop the £25,000 top prize with his 15th European Tour win.
"I think I played phenomenally here in Jena - I had two games of 110 average and one game of 108, you can't really ask for any more," said Van Gerwen.
"When you play this well it feels great, but I've worked really hard for this and I make a lot of sacrifices, so I'm really glad it paid off.
"I love what I do and I love to perform for the great crowds like we have here in Germany."
It was a good weekend for Klaasen as he picked up the £10,000 runner-up prize with a run to his second European Tour final.
The Dutchman put recent wrist injury problems to one side to reach the final, coming from 5-2 down to beat Jeffrey de Graaf 6-5 in his third-round clash before wins over Kyle Anderson and world number five James Wade booked his place in the final.
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