MVG: “I LET MYSELF DOWN”

By Aaron Nijjar 

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN reckons he let himself down in Belfast after losing to Luke Humphries 6-5 in the semi-finals of the first night of the Premier League.  

World No. 3 Van Gerwen was in majestic form last night (Thursday) as he stood tall in the face of Luke Littler’s rampaging average of almost 114 to win 6-5 in the quarter-final. 

The 35-year-old averaged over 105 in a dazzling performance against ‘The Nuke’, ending a run of four consecutive defeats to the reigning World Champion.  

‘The Green Machine’ was in magnificent form again in the semi-finals as he averaged over a ton throughout the match and dominated World No.1 Humphries in a blistering mid-match surge to move to the brink of victory and a place in the Final against Chris Dobey.  

However, the Dutchman squandered his chance with 11 missed doubles, crashing out in the semi-finals as ‘Cool Hand’ capitalised to advance and ultimately win the first week event of the Major.  

Van Gerwen said to Viaplay: “I can blame myself for this again. There was one better player and that was me. They simply have nothing to say to me, but I let myself down. Maybe that is the process I am currently in.”

Despite the disappointment of the Humphries defeat, Van Gerwen focused on the positives from the night. He added: “It makes me very happy that I see that I am on the right track. I just have to keep this up, then I can show many beautiful things in this Premier League. 

“I feel good. We know that I come from very far and this [Littler win] is a highlight, although I could have finished it earlier. This is the opening of the Premier League, a difficult match, because we know what that boy can do. It gives a lot of satisfaction.”