VAN GERWEN STRIKES PERFECTION IN MUNICH

By Aaron Nijjar

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN produced a moment of magic at the German Grand Prix—hitting a stunning nine-darter before powering past Ryan Searle.

The Dutchman backed up his perfect leg with a sensational 154 checkout to complete a 6-1 win.

Three-time World champion Van Gerwen averaged 104 in a dominant display and will now face Ryan Joyce in the quarter-final.

MVG has beaten Joyce 10 times but ‘Relentless’ has won their last three meetings, meaning Van Gerwen will need to maintain his sharp form to break that run.

World No. 3 Van Gerwen was pleased with his performance but knows there’s more work to do.

He said: “The perfect game is a big word. But I think I did enough and upped my levels throughout the match when I needed to.

“To throw a nine-darter in front of this amazing crowd is special.

“But I am only in the quarter-final now, so I need to make sure I keep myself sharp for Ryan Joyce in the next game.

“I need to play well tonight and make sure I sweep him off the dart board.

“Now I will rest and be ready to perform again because that is the only thing I can do.

“It’s difficult. It’s not easy.

“I’m in a tough position right now because I am not playing as well as I can.

“So to hit a nine-darter it means the world to me.”

It marks a strong response from Van Gerwen, who battled past Kim Huybrechts in a nervy 6-5 victory the previous evening.

‘The Green Machine’ survived three match darts in the second-round clash but averaged 102 and smashed in a brilliant 140 checkout in the bout.

Van Gerwen is still awaiting to win his first title of the year.

‘Mighty Mike’ is yet to reach a final on the ProTour and sits outside the Premier League playoff spots in fifth place.

However, the 47-time major winner will take huge confidence from his last two performances in Munich.

Image by Taylor Lanning.