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Michael van Gerwen wins the European Darts Open (Picture: Kais Bodensieck/PDC Europe)

Darts results: Michael van Gerwen wins European Darts Open as James Wade withdraws in semi-finals with illness

By Sporting Life

Darts

Sun May 08, 2022 · 3y ago

Michael van Gerwen won his sixth title of the season - and third on the European Tour - by defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh in the European Darts Open final.

The resurgent Dutchman is enjoying a superb 2022 compared to last year when he picked up just one ranking title and this latest triumph at the Ostermann Arena in Leverkusen will further boost his ever growing confidence.

MVG, who averaged 113 in a 6-3 victory over Daryl Gurney on Saturday, battled past Jonny Clayton 6-4 in round three on Sunday afternoon before surviving match darts during a scrappy 6-5 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Van Gerwen gained revenge over Luke Humphries in the semi-finals for a defeat to the former World Youth Champion in the recent German Darts Grand Prix, averaging over 105 in a 7-2 victory.

MVG maintained the momentum into the final against Van den Bergh, where he was never behind and averaged 102 in an 8-5 win.

Van den Bergh reached the final after his opponent James Wade withdrew due to illness. The Machine had felt unwell during his 6-5 victory against Ryan Searle earlier in the evening and was advised to pull out.

🏆🏆🏆 It's a third European Tour title of the season for Michael van Gerwen and a sixth overall in 2022!

🤔 Is MVG on his way back to his dominant best?pic.twitter.com/bhziNLGdez
— Sporting Life 🎯🔴🎾⛳️🥊🏏🏉 🏈 (@SportingLifeFC) May 8, 2022

"It was really hard and I'm glad I won," said Van Gerwen.

"Dimitri is a phenomenal player, he always pushes me and he's a good player and a good guy. Sometimes he's a bit naive but I like him, and I think he's good for darts.

"The crowd today were phenomenal and I can't wish for anything more. It's always amazing in Leverkusen."

Van den Bergh ended German hopes in the event with a 6-4 third round win over Martin Schindler, and finished six doubles from seven attempts in a brilliant 6-1 quarter-final win over Josh Rock.

He was then given a bye into his first European Tour final after James Wade withdrew ahead of their semi-final through illness.

Wade had produced some superb form throughout the weekend, and defeated Jose de Sousa and Ryan Searle on Sunday.

Humphries overcame Brendan Dolan in the third round and then averaged almost 108 to see off Nathan Aspinall in the quarter-finals, before Van Gerwen ended his bid for a second European Tour title.

Northern Irish prospect Rock saw off Scott Williams in the third round to reach his first European Tour quarter-final, ending an impressive weekend.