UK Open final: Leg-by-leg report as Michael van Gerwen beat Gerwyn Price 11-9 in Minehead

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Semi-Finals & Final (Best of 21 legs)

• Gerwyn Price 11-4 Jonny Clayton
• Michael van Gerwen 11-3 Daryl Gurney
• FINAL: GERWYN PRICE 9-11 MICHAEL VAN GERWEN

What an incredible night to end a fantastic 'FA Cup of Darts', which started with a 159 players on Friday afternoon and ended with two of the very best battling it out in another unforgettable final.

Michael van Gerwen has answered critics about his form in emphatic fashion this weekend with a string of spellbinding displays that more than suggest he's back to his very best - despite 'that' scare against Ryan Lowe on Saturday - but he also had to show true champion fighting spirit to come from 5-1 down against his arch rival.

Gerwyn Price will rue missing bullseye for a 6-1 lead as well as an attempt at tops for 6-2 as momentum shifted firmly in MVG's favour and he can now celebrate his third UK Open title and the 54th televised crown of his astonishing PDC career - eight years after his first.

After collecting his trophy, van Gerwen says: "It was a hard day for me because I had to play three Premier League players. Gerwyn is a phenomenal competitor to have in darts. To win this tournament means a lot to me, I've come far."

A gutted Price says: "I bombed numerous opportunities and possibly could have been 9-6 up but that's the way darts goes. It's just battling against myself when I go for doubles. If I hit my doubles, I probably am the best player in the world."

Of course, the lasting memory will be his seventh televised nine-darter in the PDC during his thumping semi-final victory over Daryl Gurney. Enjoy!

Michael van Gerwen beats Gerwyn Price 11-9 in the UK Open final

Averages

• Price: 99.16
• MVG: 101.44

180s

• Price: 6
• MVG: 11

Doubles

• Price: 9/32
• MVG: 10/23

100+ Checkouts

• Price: 105
• MVG: 136

• Leg 20
  A pulsating and nerve-shredding final comes to an end in dramatic fashion when MVG takes out 66 for a 14-dart break of Price's throw! The Iceman had thrown his sixth maximum to leave 68 but he hit treble one with his first dart before a single 15 left him the hardest shot on the board, which he couldn't hit. The world number one returns to clinch his first title of 2020, but the 134th of his incredible PDC career, including 54 on TV.
  Price 9-11 MVG

• Leg 19
  Incredible drama as van Gerwen misses a title tart at tops after hitting 18 and double 18 from 94, and Price stays alive with a superb 80 checkout to complete a 15-dart break despite his first attempt at double 10 looking a real blocker.
  Price 9-10 MVG
• Leg 18
  Van Gerwen throws another 180 to put pressure on Price's throw but the Iceman stops the rot with a brilliant 94 checkout, with his opponent waiting on 62 for victory.
  Price 8-10 MVG
• Leg 17
  MVG is surging towards the finishing line as an 10th 180 leaves him 96, which he takes out with a treble 20 and two 18s for an 11-darter. Surely no way back for Price?
  Price 7-10 MVG
• Leg 16 (Price to throw first)
  World class punishment from Michael van Gerwen! Price came roaring out of the interval with a fourth 180 sandwhiched between visits of 135 and 134 but he spurned two darts and tops before MVG, who had earlier hit his ninth maximum, brilliantly took out 136. Stunning.
  Price 7-9 MVG

THIRD INTERVAL: PRICE 7-8 MVG

Sky Bet latest odds: MVG is now the favourite at 2/7, with Price out to 5/2 for his first UK Open triumph. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• Price: 98.6
• MVG: 98.17

180s

• Price: 3
• MVG: 8

Doubles

• Price: 7/26
• MVG: 8/20

100+ Checkouts

• Price: 105
• MVG: N/A (Highest: 76)

• Leg 15
  Price's double troubles spill over into a third successive leg as MVG goes ahead for the first time of the match. The Grand Slam of Darts champion misses two more - taking his tally to 10 in the last three legs - and MVG makes him pay on tops for a 16-dart hold.
  Price 7-8 MVG
• Leg 14
  These two may well be the best (arguably) players in the world today but both are struggling with the pressure of finishing in this incredible tense final that is now all square! Price, who has been brilliant on the outer ring all weekend before this match, wastes another four attempts and MVG punishes him with his last dart in hand on double two.
  Price 7-7 MVG

• Leg 13
  Van Gerwen and Price trade 180s mid-way through what was a high-quality leg until the Welshman missed four attempts at double and the Dutchman spurned three before eventually pinning double two for a 17-darter.
  Price 7-6 MVG

• Leg 12
  MVG's sixth 180 puts immediate pressure on the Price throw but he then follows the Welshman's visit of 54 with one of 50 to lose the initiative. Price then fires in scores of 138 and 134 before taking out 36 for a 13-darter.
  Price 7-5 MVG
• Leg 11 (MVG to throw first)
  Van Gerwen comes out all guns blazing after the break with three visits of 100+, including his fifth maximum, leaving him 76, that he comfortably takes out for a 12-darter.
  Price 6-5 MVG

SECOND INTERVAL: PRICE 6-4 MVG

Sky Bet latest odds: Price is still favourite at 8/13 while MVG is 6/5 to claim a comeback victory. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• Price: 98.44
• MVG: 98.2

180s

• Price: 2
• MVG: 4

Doubles

• Price: 6/15
• MVG: 4/10

100+ Checkouts

• Price: 105
• MVG: N/A (Highest: 76)

• Leg 10
  Price will be kicking himself during the interval that he's not 7-3 ahead having missed a dart at double 16 to hold a throw he looked set to lose easily when MVG fired in back-to-back 180s to threaten perfection for the second time tonight. Van Gerwen then pinned double 11 for a 14-dart break to leave this final so delicately and engrossingly poised.
  Price 6-4 MVG
• Leg Nine
  Arguably the best two players in the world (Peter Wright fans may disagree) aren't quite reaching the same standard they produced in the semi-finals but a second 180 from Price helps him break MVG's throw in 16 darts, despite spurning three darts at doubles and needing his opponent to miss the bullseye for a 124 checkout.
  Price 6-3 MVG
• Leg Eight
  The world number one almost pulls off an audacious 132 checkout but after two successive bullseyes, he misses double 16. Price can't take advantage as he misses tops for a 116 checkout so MVG comes back for a 14-darter than reduces the deficit further.
  Price 5-3 MVG

• Leg Seven
  Van Gerwen raises his game again with a couple of visits of 140 but needs Price, who fired in back-to-back 139s, to miss the bullseye for a 127 checkout attempt before finishing 76 for a much-needed hold.
  Price 5-2 MVG
• Leg Six (Price to throw first)
  The standard drops slightly on the scoring front and MVG then spurns a dart at double 16 for a 110 checkout, with Price making him pay on tops for an 18-dart hold of throw.
  Price 5-1 MVG

FIRST INTERVAL: PRICE 4-1 MVG

Sky Bet latest odds: Price is now favourite to win the UK Open for the first time at 4/9 while MVG has drifted to 13/8. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• Price: 101.14
• MVG: 99.9

180s

• Price: 1
• MVG: 2

Doubles

• Price: 4/6
• MVG: 1/1

100+ Checkouts

• Price: 105
• MVG: N/A (Highest: 40)

• Leg Five
  If Van Gerwen is going to get his hands on the UK Open trophy again then he'll have to do it the hard way as Price opens up a three-leg lead at the first interval with a stylish 97 checkout that denied the world number one a chance at 16.
  Price 4-1 MVG
• Leg Four
  Price responds to MVG's second maximum of the match with his first to leave 54, which he clinically takes out for a 14-dart hold, with his opponent waiting on 60.
  Price 3-1 MVG
• Leg Three
  Nothing scrappy about how this next leg finishes as Price goes tops tops for a stunning 105 checkout that completes a 15-dart break of throw. Cue the big celebrations!
  Price 2-1 MVG

• Leg Two
  Price restores parity in these early stages with a scrappy leg that he wins in 18 by pinning double 12 with his last dart in hand.
  Price 1-1 MVG
• Leg One (Michael van Gerwen to throw first)
  Michael van Gerwen picks up where he left off by firing a 180 with his very first visit and a further score of 128 helps him on his way to a 13-dart hold, with Price waiting on 44. The standard is set.
  Price 0-1 MVG

2055: As for the head-to-head record...

• Overall H2H: 2-19, 1 draw
• Televised Meetings: 1-11, 1 draw
• Other Stage Meetings: 0-4
• Meetings Since Start of 2019: 2-6, 1 draw
• Meetings Since Start of 2020: 1-0

Gerwyn Price ended his long wait for victory over Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals of last year's Grand Slam of Darts, which he went on to retain against Peter Wright. A week later they met again on this very stage in the climax of the Players Championship Finals but on that occasion MVG got revenge with a pulsating 11-9 victory. Their only clash so far this season was a quite brilliant final of a Players Championship event in Wigan away from the television cameras and Price won that 8-7. It's one of the four PDC finals he's reached in just three weeks, including this one, and tonight he's hoping to win his third of them.

2050: If you need another reminder of the routes to the final...

MVG

• Rd 4: 10-8 Nathan Aspinall
  (Av: 105.48, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/23, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 150)
• Rd 5: 10-9 Jason Lowe
  (Av: 95.63, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/27, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 170)
• Rd 6: 10-4 James Wade
  (Av: 108.93, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/14, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 116)
• QF: 10-4 Rob Cross
  (Av: 110.81, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/21, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 127)
• QF: 11-3 Daryl Gurney
  (Av: 110.32, 180s: 5, Doubles: 11/21, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 141)

PRICE

• Rd 4: 10-3 Danny Noppert
  (Av: 104.23, 180s: 2, Doubles: 10/14, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 126)
• Rd 5: 10-3 v Ricky Evans
  (Av: 98.6, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/25, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 136)
• Rd 6: 10-9 Gabriel Clemens
  (Av: 102.87, 180s: 5, Doubles: 10/20, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 114)
• QF: 10-5 Dimitri van den Bergh
  (Av: 102.15, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/17, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 144)
• SF: 11-4 Jonny Clayton
  (Av: 102.39, 180s: 5, Doubles: 11/25, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 112)

2045: Have you got your breath back in time for the UK Open final?! Can Michael van Gerwen follow up his nine-dart heroics and lift this trophy for a third time? Or will his arch-rival Gerwyn Price win it for the very first time in his career? Just minutes to wait now for the entrances!

Van Gerwen 11-3 Gurney: Match Stats

Averages

• MVG: 110.59
• Gurney: 96.76

180s

• MVG: 5
• Gurney: 6

Doubles

• MVG: 10/20
• Gurney: 3/9

100+ Checkouts

• MVG: 141
• Gurney: N/A (Highest: 87)

• Leg 14
  The nine-dart hero seals a resounding victory with an uncharacteristically sloppy leg, taking it in 19 darts after Gurney missed four darts at doubles. He'll now meet Gerwyn Price in a blockbusting final.
  MVG 11-3 Gurney
• Leg 13
  A fifth maximum of the match from MVG puts him well on his way to a 13-dart break of throw and now he's just one leg away from victory.
  MVG 10-3 Gurney
• Leg 12
  Despite a poor start to the leg, the Northern Irishman puts pressure on MVG's throw with back-to-back 180s to leave 26 but MVG pins tops for a 14-darter.
  MVG 9-3 Gurney
• Leg 11 (Gurney to throw first)
  Gurney comes out fighting after the interval and follows up his third maximum of the match with an 87 checkout - after MVG had also thrown in another to leave 47 - to complete a 12-dart hold.
  MVG 8-3 Gurney

SECOND INTERVAL: MVG 8-2 Gurney

Sky Bet latest odds: MVG is now 1/500 to book his place in the final while Gurney is 33/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• MVG: 111.83
• Gurney: 94.15

180s

• MVG: 3
• Gurney: 2

Doubles

• MVG: 8/16
• Gurney: 2/3

100+ Checkouts

• MVG: 141
• Gurney: N/A (Highest: 87)

• Leg 10
  It's just a matter of time before MVG seals his spot in the final as a relatively comfortable hold in 16 darts puts him three away from victory.
  MVG 8-2 Gurney
• Leg Nine
  Gurney's second maximum of the match leaves him 88 but he misses an attempt at the bullseye to stop the rot in his next visit, and MVG makes him pay on double 18 for a 15-darter.
  MVG 7-2 Gurney
• Leg Eight
  MVG is averaging well over 110 as he fires in an 88 checkout to complete a 14-darter, with Gurney way back on 244.
  MVG 6-2 Gurney
• Leg Seven
  The Minehead crowd are singing his name after his third perfect leg on this stage since 2016 - including his effort at the 2019 Players Championship Finals - and he motors along with an 11-darter which is finished off by a 72 checkout.
  MVG 5-2 Gurney
• Leg Six (MVG to throw first)
  NINE DART FINISH! It's the second perfect leg of this year's UK Open as Michael van Gerwen follows up back-to-back 180s with a 141 checkout! It's his second on this stage having managed it against Rob Cross in 2016 while he emulates Jonny Clayton's effort on Saturday!
  MVG 4-2 Gurney

FIRST INTERVAL: MVG 3-2 Gurney

Sky Bet latest odds: MVG is now 1/8 to book his place in the final while Gurney is 9/2. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• MVG: 108.05
• Gurney: 103.19

180s

• MVG: 1
• Gurney: 1

Doubles

• MVG: 3/6
• Gurney: 2/2

Highest Checkouts

• MVG: 59
• Gurney: 87

• Leg Five
  Gurney, who famously claimed a heroic battling victory over MVG on this very stage in the 2018 Players Championship Finals, keeps himself well in this contest with a clinical 87 checkout that completes an impressive 12-dart hold, which also included a pair of 140s.
  MVG 3-2 Gurney
• Leg Four
  The 'dream final' is looking on the cards now as the world number one repels Gurney's first 180 by polishing off 34 in a scrappy 17-dart hold.
  MVG 3-1 Gurney
• Leg Three
  Van Gerwen fires in the first maximum of the match and follows it up with visits of 140 and 149 to leave 32, which he takes out at the first attempt for a wonderful 10-dart break.
  MVG 2-1 Gurney
• Leg Two
  MVG begins the leg with a dreadful visit of 28, featuring a single three, but fights back with further scores of 140 (x2) and 134 to leave him 59, which he takes out for a 14-dart hold, with Gurney waiting on 61.
  MVG 1-1 Gurney
• Leg One (Daryl Gurney to throw first)
  Michael van Gerwen looked all set to break throw in the opening leg but he missed a dart at tops for a 114 checkout and Gurney, who left 66 after a visit of 139, took advantage for a 17-darter.
  MVG 0-1 Gurney

1955: As Daryl Gurney and Michael van Gerwen make their way to the stage, let's quickly remind ourselves of their head-to-head record and routes to the semi-finals...

• Overall H2H: 22-6, 1 draw
• Televised Meetings: 11-4, 1 draw
  7-1: 2020 Premier League (Groups)
  8-3: 2019 Melbourne Masters (Final)
  5-8: 2019 Brisbane Masters (QF)
  10-7: 2019 Premier League (SF)
  5-8: 2019 Premier League (Groups)
  5-7: 2019 Premier League (Groups)
  9-11: 2018 Players Championship Finals (Final)
  4-1: 2018 World Grand Prix (SF)
  10-7: 2018 Champions League (Groups)
  8-4: 2018 Shanghai Masters (QF)
  6-6: 2018 Premier League (Groups)
  7-2: 2018 Premier League (Groups)
  11-8: 2017 World Series of Darts Finals (SF)
  8-6: 2017 US Masters (Final)
  5-1: 2016 World Championship (QF)
  11-2: 2015 Players Championship Finals (SF)
• Other Stage Meetings: 7-1
• Meetings Since Start of 2019: 4-3
• Meetings Since Start of 2020: 1-0

It was here on this very stage at the Players Championship Finals of 2018 when Gurney heroically beat MVG to win his second major title which also snapped a 13-match losing run against him. Since then he's won three of their seven meetings - including a famous Premier League regular season double last year.

MVG's route to the semi-finals

• Rd 4: 10-8 Nathan Aspinall
  (Av: 105.48, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/23, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 150)
• Rd 5: 10-9 Jason Lowe
  (Av: 95.63, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/27, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 170)
• Rd 6: 10-4 James Wade
  (Av: 108.93, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/14, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 116)
• QF: 10-4 Rob Cross
  (Av: 110.81, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/21, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 127)

Gurney's route to the semi-finals

• Rd 4: 10-9 Keegan Brown
  (Av: 98.6, 180s: 7, Doubles: 10/24, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 105)
• Rd 5: 10-9 v William O'Connor
  (Av: 94.9, 180s: 7, Doubles: 10/31, 100+ Outs: 0, High Out: 74)
• Rd 6: 10-6 v Peter Wright
  (Av: 99.33, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/21, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 148)
• QF: 10-9 Jelle Klaasen
  (Av: 95.3, 180s: 8, Doubles: 10/27, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 113)

Gerwyn Price 11-4 Jonny Clayton: Match Stats

Averages

• Price: 102.61
• Clayton: 90.43

180s

• Price: 5
• Clayton: 3

Doubles

• Price: 10/24
• Clayton: 4/17

100+ Checkouts

• Price: 112, 109
• Clayton: N/A (Highest: 88)

• Leg 15
  It's all over in double quick time as Price clinically takes out 86 for a match-winning 15-darter. He was much the louder of the two Welsh Dragons tonight and he'll now meet either Michael van Gerwen or Daryl Gurney.
  Price 11-4 Clayton
• Leg 14
  Price is let off the hook once again as Clayton fails with one attempt at tops after his third maximum left him 80 and the Iceman delivers a crushing 112 checkout to complete a 15-dart break.
  Price 10-4 Clayton
• Leg 13
  Clayton's second 180 of the match puts pressure on Price's throw but three missed darts at double 16 costs him dearly as Price pins two sixes for a 16-darter.
  Price 9-4 Clayton
• Leg 12
  The Ferret spurns a huge lead in this leg by wasting five darts at a double with 16 required before busting in the madhouse, and Price makes him pay.
  Price 8-4 Clayton
• Leg 11 (Price to throw first)
  Clayton finally weighs in with his first maximum of the match to threaten the throw of Price, who starts with visits of 41 and 59 before his fifth 180 earns him the first sight at double in the leg. However, he misses two fives for a 77 checkout and Clayton returns with tops to seal an impressive 13-dart break.
  Price 7-4 Clayton

SECOND INTERVAL: Price 7-3 Clayton

Sky Bet latest odds: Gerwyn Price is now 1/66 to complete a likely victory while Clayton is 14/1 fo a remarkable comeback. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• Price: 105.21
• Clayton: 88.25

180s

• Price: 4
• Clayton: 0

Doubles

• Price: 7/17
• Clayton: 3/6

Highest Checkouts

• Price: 109
• Clayton: 88

• Leg 10
  Price is just four legs away from reaching his second UK Open final as he takes out 72 for a 14-dart break of throw after Clayton spurned an attempt at tops.
  Price 7-3 Clayton
• Leg Nine
  Price stops the rot with the first 100+ checkout of the match, as he pins tops to finish off 109 for a 15-darter.
  Price 6-3 Clayton
• Leg Eight
  Clayton agonisingly misses double 15 for a 150 checkout and watches in horror as Price hits two treble 20s before eyeing up the bullseye for a Big Fish. But the Iceman fails to hit it and Clayton returns to complete his 13-darter and make it three legs on the spin.
  Price 5-3 Clayton
• Leg Seven
  Price begins the leg with his fourth 180 but spurns four darts at a double at the end of it and Clayton capitalises with a clinical 88 checkout for his first break of throw in 14 darts.
  Price 5-2 Clayton
• Leg Six (Clayton to throw first)
  Clayton finally earns a shot at the outer ring after a superb visit of 174 leaves him 40, although Price so nearly denied him a chance when missing tops to complete a 132 checkout. The Ferret pins his target for a 20-darter which may settle him down after a woeful start.
  Price 5-1 Clayton

FIRST INTERVAL: Price 5-0 Clayton

Sky Bet latest odds: Gerwyn Price is now 1/100 favourite to wrap victory up while Clayton is way out to 16/1 already. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.

Averages

• Price: 113.86
• Clayton: 80.24

180s

• Price: 3
• Clayton: 0

Doubles

• Price: 5/8
• Clayton: 0/0

Highest Checkouts

• Price: 87
• Clayton: N/A

• Leg Five
  The Iceman completes a whitewash in this opening session as he pins tops to complete a third successive 14-darter with his opponent way back on 248.
  Price 5-0 Clayton
• Leg Four
  Price is averaging 118 as a third maximum of the match puts him on course to win a fourth successive leg, this time in 14 darts. Clayton has yet to have a dart at a double.
  Price 4-0 Clayton
• Leg Three
  This is brutal from the two-time Grand Slam of Darts king as he holds throw in 14 darts with a 68 checkout, with Clayton unable to get an attempt at 126.
  Price 3-0 Clayton

• Leg Two
  The Iceman is making a flying start here and breaks the Clayton throw with an 87 checkout to complete an 11-darter.
  Price 2-0 Clayton
• Leg One (Gerwyn Price to throw first)
  Gerwyn Price kicks off the match with back-to-back 180s and although he disappoints the crowd with a couple of sloppy visits , he eventually wins the leg in 13.
  Price 1-0 Clayton

1910: Jonny Clayton makes his way to the stage, swiftly followed by Gerwyn Price in this all-Welsh UK Open semi-final. Play is about to begin.

1850: Right, we've done routes to the semi-finals and head-to-head records, so here's just a quick look at each of the quartet's career bios and achievements so far...

GERWYN PRICE

• Nickname: The Iceman
• Date of Birth: 07/03/1985
• Nationality: Welsh
• World Ranking: 3
• Walk-on music: Vanilla Ice, Ice Ice Baby
• Career highlights: Grand Slam of Darts champion (2019, 2018), nine non-televised PDC titles including two this season
• 2020 season so far: Seven events played, two titles, three finals. Has won 24 of his last 26 matches.

JONNY CLAYTON

• Nickname: The Ferret
• Date of Birth: 04/10/1974
• Nationality: Welsh
• World Ranking: 17
• Walk-on music: Jonny Be Good
• Career highlights: Three non-televised PDC titles including one on the European Tour in 2018
• 2020 season so far: Eight events played and his best is a run to the Masters quarter finals

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN

• Nickname: Mighty Mike
• Date of Birth: 25/04/1989
• Nationality: Dutch
• World Ranking: 1
• Walk-on music: Seven Nation Army, White Stripes
• Career highlights: 3x World Champion (2014, 2017, 2019), 2x World Matchplay (2015, 2016), 5x Premier League (2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), 5x World Grand Prix (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019), 2x UK Open (2015, 2016), 3x Grand Slam of Darts (2015, 2016, 2017), 4x European champion (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017), 5x Masters (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019), 5x Players Championship Finals ( 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), 4x World Series of Darts (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), Champions League of Darts (2019), 3x World Cup (2014, 2017, 2018) & over 80 other PDC titles
• 2020 season so far: Eight events played, no titles but two runs to Players Championship finals

DARYL GURNEY

• Nickname: SuperChin
• Date of Birth: 22/03/1986
• Nationality: Northern Irish
• World Ranking: 7
• Walk-on music: Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
• Career highlights: World Grand Prix champion (2017), Players Championship Finals (2019), three non-televised PDC titles
• 2020 season so far: Seven events played, but hasn't gone beyond the last 16 in any of them before this weekend.

1845: The head-to-head record for the second semi-final is unsurprisingly lopsided in one man's favour overall, but Daryl Gurney has landed several significant blows over the past couple of seasons.

• Overall H2H: 22-6, 1 draw
• Televised Meetings: 11-4, 1 draw
  7-1: 2020 Premier League (Groups)
  8-3: 2019 Melbourne Masters (Final)
  5-8: 2019 Brisbane Masters (QF)
  10-7: 2019 Premier League (SF)
  5-8: 2019 Premier League (Groups)
  5-7: 2019 Premier League (Groups)
  9-11: 2018 Players Championship Finals (Final)
  4-1: 2018 World Grand Prix (SF)
  10-7: 2018 Champions League (Groups)
  8-4: 2018 Shanghai Masters (QF)
  6-6: 2018 Premier League (Groups)
  7-2: 2018 Premier League (Groups)
  11-8: 2017 World Series of Darts Finals (SF)
  8-6: 2017 US Masters (Final)
  5-1: 2016 World Championship (QF)
  11-2: 2015 Players Championship Finals (SF)
• Other Stage Meetings: 7-1
• Meetings Since Start of 2019: 4-3
• Meetings Since Start of 2020: 1-0

It was here on this very stage at the Players Championship Finals of 2018 when Gurney heroically beat MVG to win his second major title which also snapped a 13-match losing run against him. Since then he's won three of their seven meetings - including a famous Premier League regular season double last year.

1830: Now time for those all-important head-to-head records, starting with the first semi-final between Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton.

• Overall H2H: 7-5
• Televised Meetings: 0-2
  2-6: 2017 Players Championship Finals (Last 32)
  1-3: 2016 World Championship (Last 64)
• Other Stage Meetings: 1-2
  6-1: 2020 German Darts Championship (Last 16)
  8-5: 2018 Austrian Darts Championship (Final)
  6-3: 2017 European Darts Trophy (Last 32)
• Meetings Since Start of 2019: 4-0
• Meetings Since Start of 2020: 0-0

Jonny Clayton won his first career stage tournament in the PDC when defeating Price in the 2018 Austrian Darts Championship while he's also never lost to his fellow Welshman on TV. That said, those two televised meetings came at a time where Price was still climbing the ladder and it wasn't clear who would become the dominant force. Now the landscape has changed, with the two-time Grand Slam of Darts champion winning their last four meetings.

1820: To say Daryl Gurney's route has resembled a rollercoaster is something of an understatement...

• Rd 4: 10-9 Keegan Brown
  (Av: 98.6, 180s: 7, Doubles: 10/24, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 105)
• Rd 5: 10-9 v William O'Connor
  (Av: 94.9, 180s: 7, Doubles: 10/31, 100+ Outs: 0, High Out: 74)
• Rd 6: 10-6 v Peter Wright
  (Av: 99.33, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/21, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 148)
• QF: 10-9 Jelle Klaasen
  (Av: 95.3, 180s: 8, Doubles: 10/27, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 113)

The Northern Irishman, who may not have attracted too much interest at 40/1 pre-tournament due to his underwhelming start to the season, came back from 9-7 and 7-1 down against Keegan Brown and William O'Connor respectively in the first two rounds - surviving three match darts in each - before brilliantly battling past Peter Wright. He was again taken to the wire by Jelle Klaasen but his fighting spirit came to the fore.

1815: Moving onto the second semi-final, Michael van Gerwen will be expected to come through based on 75% of his route to the last four...

• Rd 4: 10-8 Nathan Aspinall
  (Av: 105.48, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/23, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 150)
• Rd 5: 10-9 Jason Lowe
  (Av: 95.63, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/27, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 170)
• Rd 6: 10-4 James Wade
  (Av: 108.93, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/14, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 116)
• QF: 10-4 Rob Cross
  (Av: 110.81, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/21, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 127)

The world number one needed a superb performance to end Nathan Aspinall's short-lived title defence on Friday night and although he survived a huge scare against relative unknown Jason Lowe the following afternoon, he unleashed devastating displays to see off both James Wade and Rob Cross.

1810: Price's opponent is fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton and nobody needs telling what the highlight of his first run to a televised semi-final is!

Jonny Clayton

• Rd 4: 10-7 Scott Waites
  (Av: 103.6, 180s: 6, Doubles: 10/26, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 156)
• Rd 5: 10-4 v Joe Cullen
  (Av: 101.6, 180s: 8, Doubles: 10/24, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 129)
• Rd 6: 10-8 v Chris Dobey
  (Av: 99.23, 180s: 9, Doubles: 10/23, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 141)
• QF: 10-9 Jamie Hughes
  (Av: 91.38, 180s: 3, Doubles: 10/23, 100+ Outs: 2, High Out: 101)

The Ferret landed the UK Open's first nine-darter since 2016 during his superb victory over Chris Dobey while previously he'd posted impressive 100+ averages against Scott Waites and Joe Cullen. He needed to rely on Jamie Hughes blowing eight match darts in a deciding leg this afternoon and will need to raise his game considerably to give Price a run for his money.

1805: Let's first take a look at how Gerwyn Price reached his fifth successive major ranking semi-final...

Gerwyn Price

• Rd 4: 10-3 Danny Noppert
  (Av: 104.23, 180s: 2, Doubles: 10/14, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 126)
• Rd 5: 10-3 v Ricky Evans
  (Av: 98.6, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/25, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 136)
• Rd 6: 10-9 Gabriel Clemens
  (Av: 102.87, 180s: 5, Doubles: 10/20, 100+ Outs: 1, High Out: 114)
• QF: 10-5 Dimitri van den Bergh
  (Av: 102.15, 180s: 4, Doubles: 10/17, 100+ Outs: 3, High Out: 144)

1800: Over the coming updates before tonight's evening session begins at around 1900 GMT, we'll look back at each player's routes to get here, their tournament stats, the head-to-head records and their career histories.

1750: Good evening and welcome to our live blog for culmination of this year's second televised major, with Michael van Gerwen, Gerwyn Price, Daryl Gurney and Jonny Clayton all eyeing UK Open glory tonight.

Many will expect the final to be a 23rd instalment of the gripping MVG v Price rivalry after the 'big two' were kept apart in the semi-finals but this is isn't called the 'FA Cup of Darts' for nothing.

In fact, if you look down this list of past finals below, there's no shortage of surprising names who have made it through the huge field to challenge for the title although of the remaining four, only Clayton would really represent a curveball having started out as a 125/1 outsider.

MVG and Price were of course two of the three favourites either side of Peter Wright, who was knocked out by pre-tournament 40/1 shot Gurney in the sixth round on Saturday night.

Only van Gerwen has got his hands on this prestigious trophy before having triumphed in 2015 and 2016 but he missed the 2017 edition due to injury and fell at the first hurdle in each of his last two appearances.

Price may not have won it before but he has a great record in the event having reached the 2017 final, where he lost to Wright, while he reached the quarters 12 months later and now finds himself in back-to-back semi-finals.

Gurney is into his second UK Open semi-final - last managing it back in 2017 - but this is by far Clayton's best showing having previously never gone beyond the fifth round.

UK Open: Past Finals

• Final scores in legs
• 2003 - Phil Taylor 18-8 Shayne Burgess
• 2004 - Roland Sholten 11-6 John Part
• 2005 - Phil Taylor 13-7 Mark Walsh
• 2006 - Raymond van Barneveld 13-7 Barrie Bates
• 2007 - Raymond van Barneveld 16-8 Vincent van der Voort
• 2008 - James Wade 11-7 Gary Mawson
• 2009 - Phil Taylor 11-6 Colin Osborne
• 2010 - Phil Taylor 11-5 Gary Anderson
• 2011 - James Wade 11-8 Wes Newton
• 2012 - Robert Thornton 11-5 Phil Taylor
• 2013 - Phil Taylor 11-4 Andy Hamilton
• 2014 - Adrian Lewis 11-1 Terry Jenkins
• 2015 - Michael van Gerwen 11-5 Peter Wright
• 2016 - Michael van Gerwen 11-4 Peter Wright
• 2017 - Peter Wright 11-6 Gerwyn Price
• 2018 - Gary Anderson 11-7 Corey Cadby
• 2019 - Nathan Aspinall 11-5 Rob Cross

UK Open Most Titles

• Phil Taylor - 5
• Michael van Gerwen - 2
• Raymond van Barneveld - 2
• James Wade - 2
• Nathan Aspinall - 1
• Gary Anderson - 1
• Peter Wright - 1
• Adrian Lewis - 1
• Robert Thornton - 1
• Roland Sholten - 1

UK Open: Sunday results and schedule

Sunday March 8
Afternoon Session (1245 start)
TV Coverage: ITV 4
Quarter-Finals (Best of 19 legs)

All Main Stage

• Dimitri van den Bergh 5-10 Gerwyn Price
• Michael van Gerwen 10-4 Rob Cross
• Daryl Gurney 10-9 Jelle Klaasen
• Jamie Hughes 9-10 Jonny Clayton

Evening Session (1900 start)
TV Coverage: ITV 4

Semi-Finals (Best of 21 legs)

• Gerwyn Price v Jonny Clayton
• Michael van Gerwen v Daryl Gurney

Final (Best of 21 legs)

• Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE WEEKEND RESULTS IN OUR TOURNAMENT GUIDE

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