VAN GERWEN STRIKES PERFECTION IN MUNICH
21/04/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
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.
