Michael van Gerwen (Pic: Lawrence Lustig/PDC)

Gibraltar Darts Trophy: MVG defeats Adrian Lewis to win the 25th European Tour title of his career

Darts

Mon June 11, 2018 · 7y ago

Michael van Gerwen won the 25th European Tour title of his career as he defeated a resurgent Adrian Lewis 8-3 in the final of the Gibraltar Darts Trophy.

MVG averaged a stunning - albeit almost normal for him - 108.13, hit four 180s and pinned eight of his 12 attempts at doubles (66.67%) in a ruthless display against the former two-time world champion.

The Dutchman has now triumphed in five of this season's seven European Tour events while it's also his 14th title overall in 2018, including last weekend's World Cup of Darts success with Raymond van Barneveld.

Van Gerwen, who incredibly has 108 career singles titles to his name at the ripe old age of 29, is on course to break his personal record of winning 26 tournaments in a calendar year that he set in 2016.

MVG had a tournament average of 104.37 at the Victoria Stadium and said: "For me to win a game like this gives me even more confidence, I'm really happy with my performance. I think I played a phenomenal game in the final and I think I have earned my holiday, I want to relax now and re-charge my batteries for the events coming up.

"The crowd deserved a good performance from me and I am happy that I was able to play well all weekend.

"I had to play well in the final because I know what Adrian is capable of - he is always dangerous and is one of the best players in the world, and it's good to see him doing well again."

The world number one followed up his 6-4 victory over Vincent van der Voort on Saturday, in which he averaged 107, with three more ruthless displays on Sunday to book his place in the final.

He thrashed both Andy Boulton and Jonny Clayton 6-2 before recording another sizzling average of 105 to see off Steve West 7-4 in the last four.

Jackpot, bidding to claim a first PDC title of the season, enjoyed an encouraging weekend as he defeated Clayton Otton (6-0), Mensur Suljovic (6-3), James Wade (6-5), Peter Wright (6-3) and Paul Nicholson (7-6) in a thrilling semi-final.

Nicholson was appearing in the the semi-finals of a PDC ranking tournament for the first time in five years having earlier defeated Joe Cullen and Gerwyn Price in final-leg deciders.

Lewis said: "Obviously, I'm disappointed not to win but I think I performed well over the weekend Fair play to Michael he gained confidence from me missing shots and that's why he's the world number one."