European Darts Grand Prix: MVG makes solid start

Although only averaging a lowly 97 by his high standards, the world number one was rarely troubled as he quickly brushed aside Keegan Brown.

With two breaks of throw, van Gerwen landed a 100 checkout on his way to a 5-0 lead. Former World Youth Champion Brown then started to find his rhythm and took out a match-high 120 checkout to avoid the whitewash.

He then found D10 for a second leg in succession, but it was too late as Van Gerwen cruised over the finish line.

Peter Wright, who was won two of the three European Tour events so far  this year, booked his place in the third tound at the expense of James  Richardson.

Averaging just over 100, Wright – who lost in the final last year –  surged to a 4-1 lead. Richardson managed to claw a leg back, but a 116  checkout put Wright three-ahead once more before sealing a 6-2 victory.

In a heated affair, James Wade was the first seed of the evening to crash out as he lost 6-5 to Mark Webster.

Wade had moved into a 4-2 lead and looked destined for the win, before Webster found his resolve to level at 4-4.

Webster then moved ahead for the first time in the game as he clinched a  third leg in a row. Wade forced the decider, but a missed dart inside tops allowed Webster to land D10 and clinch a 6-5 win.

Michael Smith was the second seeded player to crash out of the evening session as he lost 6-5 to Steve West.

Struggling for form, Smith was staring another defeat in the face as  West moved 5-3 ahead. A late flurry from the 26-year-old brought him level, but West found D12 for the win.

Ian White was also sent packing as he lost out 6-4 to unseeded Adrian Lewis in the final game of the evening.

The pair traded blows for the opening eight legs, with White taking out 126 for 4-4. Lewis then broke at the crucial time for the lead, before holding to run out a 6-4 winner.

Elsewhere, Mensur Suljovic beat Krzysztof Ratajski 6-4 and Gerwyn Price saw off Dimitri Van den Bergh 6-3.

Earlier in the day, Dave Chisnall averaged a staggering 112 as he put in the performance of the afternoon in a 6-3 victory over Matt Clark.

The 36-year-old from St Helens fired a magnificent five 180s and landed 50 per cent of his doubles as he quickly reached the third round.

Ulf Ceder continued his brilliant debut on the European Tour with a 6-3 victory over Cristo Reyes.

The Finn landed a match-high 114 checkout on his way to a 5-1 lead. Reyes then landed back-to-back legs, but it was too late for a comeback as Ceder chipped off D5 to progress.

Rob Cross continued his fine start to life as a PDC professional, beating the experienced Simon Whitlock 6-3.

The 26-year-old, who has already won a ProTour event in 2017, looked calm on the doubles landing 50 per cent of his attempts as he swept aside the Australian.

Jan Dekker’s fine form showed no signs of letting up as he reached the third round at the expense of Alan Norris.

The Dutchman, who reached the semi-finals at the ProTour last weekend, was taken all the way to a decider by Norris – but landed a superb 160 checkout to seal a 6-5 victory.

Joe Cullen made light work of Jonny Clayton in a 6-1 thumping. The 27-year-old was clinical on his doubles, landing 60 per cent of his attempts including a brilliant 156 outshot to seal the victory.

Home-hopes were dashed as Max Hopp slipped to a 6-3 defeat to Kim  Huybrechts, whilst Benito van de Pas edged out Joe Murnan 6-5 and Jelle  Klaasen beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-2. 

Saturday results

 
Second Round
Afternoon Session
Alan Norris 5-6 Jan Dekker
Cristo Reyes 3-6 Ulf Ceder
Jelle Klaasen 6-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Simon Whitlock 3-6 Rob Cross
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Matt Clark
Joe Cullen 6-1 Jonny Clayton
Benito van de Pas 6-5 Joe Murnan
Kim Huybrechts 6-3 Max Hopp

Evening Session
James Wade 5-6 Mark Webster
Gerwyn Price 6-3 Van den Dimitri Van den Bergh
Michael Smith 5-6 Steve West
Daryl Gurney 6-4 John Henderson
Mensur Suljovic 6-4 Krzysztof Ratajski
Peter Wright 6-2 James Richardson
Michael van Gerwen 6-2 Keegan Brown
Ian White 4-6 Adrian Lewis