Grand Slam of Darts: Michael Van Gerwen tops group after whitewash
Wednesday 12 November 2014 07:28, UK
World champion Michael van Gerwen powered past Jan Dekker with a 5-0 victory to top Group A in the Grand Slam of Darts at Wolves Civic.
The Dutchman had beaten Darren Webster and Kim Huybrechts in his opening two games, but needed to claim a minimum of four legs against Dekker to seal his last-16 spot.
And he blew his compatriot away in under 10 minutes to book his place in the second round on Wednesday.
He now meets Terry Jenkins in a repeat of last month's European Championship final, after the Ledbury ace eased past Ronny Huybrechts 5-1 in their Group B decider.
"I'm really happy to be through to the second round, and I couldn't do any more than win this game tonight," said van Gerwen. "I did a good job but I wasn't at 100 percent today and still won, so that makes me very dangerous.
"I've got more in the tank and I'll get myself ready for the second round on Wednesday."
Van Gerwen was later joined in qualifying from Group A by Kim Huybrechts, who defeated Webster 5-1 in their decisive final group game by coming from a leg down to storm to victory.
The Belgian will now face Alan Norris who qualified despite going down 5-3 to Scott Waites, who had lost his opening two matches.
Maximum checkout
Robbie Green progressed to the second round in style with a 170 checkout against Vincent van der Voort.
Grand Slam debutant Green had looked set to allow a 4-1 lead to slip in his final Group D game against Holland's Vincent van der Voort, who hit back to force a deciding leg when the Wallasey ace missed four match darts.
However, Green claimed victory in brilliant fashion and now plays Dave Chisnall.
Green said: “I thought I was going to throw it away and I'm disappointed that I didn't finish the game earlier.
"I'm absolutely made up to have qualified, and the 170 was a great way to do it - but if I'd missed the bull I might well have messed up my chance!”
Chisnall qualified at the top of Group C despite a 5-2 loss to Adrian Lewis in their final game, as the two-time world champion bounced back from his two earlier defeats with a consolation win.
Keegan Brown secured qualification alongside Chisnall from Group C as he overcame Rowby-John Rodriguez 5-3 in their repeat of May's World Youth Championship final.
The 22-year-old Isle of Wight thrower now plays Group D winner Raymond van Barneveld in the second round after the Dutchman completed his league phase with a 5-2 victory over Robert Thornton.
