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Steven Paston
Arras

Michael van Gerwen reclaims world darts title with imperious display

The Dutchman takes the Sid Waddell trophy.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN put in a hugely impressive display as he reclaimed the PDC World Darts Championship title at the Ally Pally tonight.

He stopped Gary Anderson’s three-in-a-row bid with a clinical 7-3 win.

It’s the Dutchman’s second PDC title – he won the last championship before Anderson’s two recent wins.

Van Gerwen continued his excellent form to race into a lead and seemingly rattle the Scot initially.

He had the chance to claim the victory at 6-2 but was interrupted by a spectator taking the trophy from the stage.

blueFrog / YouTube

MVG subsequently lost momentum with Anderson taking advantage bt he got back on track to take the win.

The pairing set a record for 180s in a televised match.

The world number one averaged 107.79 to claim the £350,000 in prize money and the Sid Waddell Trophy following one of the most incredible performances seen at the famous venue, where Anderson had won 17 matches in a row since losing to the same opponent.

Van Gerwen set the tone by recording a 180 with his first three darts of the tournament and put on one more breath-taking show on the big stage to extend his winning streak to 28 matches after Anderson had been level at 2-2.

Van Gerwen took the opening leg by hitting the bull to nail a 122 finish and went a set to the good by hitting double 18 in a deciding leg, but Anderson twice responded to peg the top seed back.

The Scot was setting a high standard of his own, but could do nothing to stop Van Gerwen taking control as the favourite won six legs in a row and was 5-2 up in a flash.

Van Gerwen was in a hurry to wrap up his seventh PDC major ranking tournament triumph in a row, taking out 100 to stand just a set from victory.

Although Anderson delayed the inevitable by pulling one back as records tumbled, Van Gerwen took out a century once again to make it two sets apiece in the 10th and was punching the air after hitting the bull to end Anderson’s reign.

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