Dimitri Van den Bergh seals first Players Championship title with final win over Dirk van Duijvenbode
Dimitri Van den Bergh beat John Brown, Ian White, Alan Soutar, Ryan Searle, Scott Mitchell, Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode to win Players Championship 12 at PDC Super Series 3 in Niedernhausen.
Tuesday 27 April 2021 19:53, UK
Dimitri Van den Bergh has won his first Players Championship title, beating Dirk van Duijvenbode in the final.
The World Matchplay champ withstood a stern challenge from his Dutch opponent, holding his nerve to win the deciding leg and prevail 8-7.
The Dream-Maker burst into a 4-1 lead, but he was pegged back by the 'Aubergenius' who levelled it at 5-5. The Belgian then led 7-5, but Van Duijvenbode levelled it once more.
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Eventually, Van den Bergh, who currently sits second in the Premier League table, got over the line for his first floor title on the Pro Tour.
It was an impressive day's work from the 26-year-old, who hit 100-plus averages in each of his first four matches. That included a 108.8 average in his 6-1 win over Ryan Searle in the last 16.
"I'm proud and happy to finally get that first win on the ProTour," said Van den Bergh. "It's something I didn't expect, but it happened.
"It's all about the hard work. I played so good in the beginning of the day, so strong, but the longer the day took I felt that my game was going down.
"It's one of those days that you didn't expect to win, but you are winning. I came here and I've done my best, but I also performed."
Van den Bergh will now return to the UK for the third block of Premier League nights from May 5-7, as he seeks to continue an impressive debut season.
"I'm in a good position," he said. "I never expected myself to be in the position that I am, but I'm enjoying the moment and riding the wave.
"Everybody wants to be in the Premier League, I am and I'm just loving the experience."
Van Duijvenbode was looking for a second consecutive Players Championship win, having secured his maiden PDC ranking title on Monday.
The World Grand Prix finalist showed his battling qualities throughout the day, edging Robert Thornton in the semi-final.
Thornton, who is not a PDC Tour Card holder, was competing due to the significant number of absentees in Niedernhausen.
Whitlock continues MVG hoodoo
Simon Whitlock made it four consecutive wins over Michael van Gerwen. The Wizard, who beat the Green Machine at the World Matchplay, Grand Prix and Grand Slam in 2020, got another victory against the three-time world champ.
The Australian defeated the Dutchman 6-3 in the last 16, but eventually became unstuck against Dirk van Duijvenbode in a whitewash quarter-final defeat.
Nine-dart Ratajski
Krzysztof Ratajski recorded a perfect leg in his first-round win over Keane Barry.
The Polish Eagle trailed 4-5, but broke the Irishman's throw with visits of 180, 180 and 141 to force a deciding leg. He prevailed and beat Mickey Mansell in the second round before succumbing to Ryan Searle.
2021 Players Championship 12 - PDC Super Series 3 Day Four
Last 16
Daryl Gurney 6-5 Ron Meulenkamp
Danny Noppert 6-2 Martijn Kleermaker
Scott Mitchell 6-5 Krzysztof Kciuk
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-1 Ryan Searle
Michael Smith 6-1 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Robert Thornton 6-3 Ted Evetts
Simon Whitlock 6-3 Michael van Gerwen
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-3 Mike De Decker
Quarter-finals
Danny Noppert 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-5 Scott Mitchell
Robert Thornton 6-3 Michael Smith
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-0 Simon Whitlock
Semi-finals
Dimitri Van den Bergh 7-2 Danny Noppert
Dirk van Duijvenbode 7-4 Robert Thornton
Final
Dimitri Van den Bergh 8-7 Dirk van Duijvenbode
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