Opponent praises Michael van Gerwen after claiming title ending 212-day championship drought and setting new record.
Michael van Gerwen's 7-month wait for a nine-darter ends in epic fashion.
The three-time world champion delivered an awe-inspiring display, bagging a nine-darter in a victory over Ryan Searle at the German Darts Grand Prix.
Van Gerwen dominated the match from the get-go, winning the opening two legs before Searle managed to snatch one back. This minor setback only fueled the fire within the Dutchman, pushing him to claim the next leg and take a commanding 3-1 lead.
However, the best was yet to come as Van Gerwen demonstrated his sheer brilliance by pulling off a nine-darter. His epic leg began with two maximums, followed by the decisive 141 checkout, navigating the treble 20, treble 19, and double 12 route.
Upon securing the nine-darter, Van Gerwen, exhilarated, turned to the crowd with his arms outstretched before blowing them a kiss. Searle could only applaud and offer a congratulatory fist-bump as Van Gerwen flexed before the adoring spectators.
The Dutchman's last nine-darter before this triumph took place against Luke Humphries on November 26, 2023. Unfortunately for Searle, Van Gerwen never let up, securing a dominating 6-1 win.
In the treble-20, treble-19, double-12 route, Van Gerwen averaged a staggering 104.82, leaving Searle's 90.13 and single maximum in his wake. Van Gerwen then went on to win the German Darts Grand Prix, claiming a record-extending 38th European Tour title.
Following his impressive victory, Van Gerwen shared his gratitude and relief: "This definitely means a lot to me. We all know where I've been coming from. I've been battling against myself recently. In the last few weeks, I've been playing poorly. I know I have it in me, but you want to show it week after week, and I also put pressure on myself. This means the world to me. I needed this, I really needed this."
Van Gerwen's moment of magic in Munich arrived just days after his disappointing display on night 11 of the Premier League, where he was bundled out in the quarter-finals by Stephen Bunting in a 6-5 defeat. It marked the ninth time out of ten Premier League nights this year he had failed to reach the final.
Despite an early exit at his home event and a decline in form over recent years, Van Gerwen confirmed he had no plans of hanging up his darts anytime soon, declaring: "I'm committed to going full throttle for at least another ten years. I'm still young, and I know there's plenty left in the tank. I'm better than most players on the Tour - I just need to prove it again, more often."
Further reading:
- Security intervened after prankster stole World Championship trophy in front of Van Gerwen
- Cameron Menzies leaves job after nearly missing tournament
- Luke Littler calls out for 'unthinkable' actions as Michael van Gerwen left shocked
- Ex-world champion drained radiator to make Pot Noodle after blowing away darts fortune
- Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, showcased his brilliance in the world of darts, delivering a nine-darter in a victory over Ryan Searle at the German Darts Grand Prix.
- In the same tournament, Van Gerwen also demonstrated his dominance in football-like fashion, winning the German Darts Grand Prix and claiming a record-extending 38th European Tour title.
- Despite a recent decline in form and an early exit at the Premier League, Van Gerwen expressed his commitment to continue playing darts, aiming to shine once more on the Tour and prove his superiority.
- Amidst the sports world, the unthinkable happened when Van Gerwen, after his impressive performance, shared heartfelt words, expressing his relief and gratitude, acknowledging the challenges he faced and the importance of his victory.
