Michael van Gerwen beats Raymond van Barneveld to win Masters

Michael van Gerwen returned to winning ways by claiming a fourth successive Masters title with victory over Raymond van Barneveld in Sunday's final.

After his defeat to eventual champion Rob Cross in the World Championship semi-final, Van Gerwen was determined to underline his status as the best in the game - and he did so with a stunning display in Milton Keynes.

Van Gerwen beat Kim Huybrechts in his opener on Saturday night and followed that up with three wins on Finals Day on Sunday to win the title.

He began with a 10-2 victory over James Wade in the quarter-finals and added a dominant 11-5 semi-final success over Gary Anderson to set up a showdown with Barney, who had beaten Peter Wright and Mensur Suljovic en route to the evening's showpiece.

And it was Van Gerwen who emerged victorious from a repeat of the 2015 final, recovering from 4-1 and 8-5 down to win six of the last seven legs and claim the title yet again and begin preparations for the defence of his Premier League crown, which starts on Thursday, with yet another TV title.

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"I think this is the perfect start to the year," said Van Gerwen.

"I played a good tournament and hit some big averages against some great players. Everyone wants a good start to the year and I've started well.

"Raymond had a phenomenal tournament, he played well in the final and he didn't give a lot away. When you give him a finger he takes your hand, but I'm glad that I fought back.

"I'm trying my best all the time and I want to win every tournament that I play in, so I'm really glad that I can take this trophy home.

"I had a big disappointment in the World Championship but you need to be strong. I went on holiday and came back stronger and I'm really proud of myself. I'd like to have more days like this."

MvG has now not been beaten in the event since defeat to Mervyn King in the last four in 2014 and he was the last of the big names to get his campaign underway in the final match of the first round on Saturday night, beating Huybrechts 10-6.

On the same night, Premier League contenders Simon Whitlock and Daryl Gurney joined Dave Chisnall in crashing out at the first hurdle. Chizzy was beaten on Friday by Barney, while Whitlock was sent packing by Wade with Gurney beaten by Gerwyn Price.

Cross kicked off his first tournament as world champion with a brilliant display to beat Ian White before falling to defeat against an inspired Suljovic in the last eight. He will now turn his attention to a Premier League debut in Dublin where opening night on Thursday will feature Voltage up against the defending PL champion and Sunday's victor - Van Gerwen.

Weekend's Results

Final

Raymond van Barneveld 9-11 Michael van Gerwen

Semi-Final

Raymond van Barneveld 11-7 Mensur Suljovic

Michael van Gerwen 11-5 Gary Anderson

Quarter-Finals (Sunday afternoon)

Peter Wright 2-10 Raymond van Barneveld

Mensur Suljovic 10-8 Rob Cross

Gerwyn Price 6-10 Gary Anderson

Michael van Gerwen 10-2 James Wade

First Round (Friday & Saturday)

Dave Chisnall 9-10 Raymond van Barneveld

Mensur Suljovic 10-8 Michael Smith

Rob Cross 10-3 Ian White

Peter Wright 10-5 Alan Norris

Simon Whitlock 8-10 James Wade

Daryl Gurney 7-10 Gerwyn Price

Gary Anderson 10-4 Benito van de Pas

Michael van Gerwen 10-6 Kim Huybrechts

The 2018 Premier League gets underway from Dublin's 3Arena on Thursday with coverage underway from 7pm on Sky Sports Action. 16 weeks of tungsten action will continue through to the season's conclusion with the Play-Offs on May 17 at The O2 in London.

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