Mighty Mike can’t be stopped.
It says it all about Michael van Gerwen’s performance in his semi-final victory over Gary Anderson that after four sets of the game, the Scot had averaged above 100 yet the scoreboard still read 4-0.
That’s the type of ruthless, machine-like darts the Dutch man was throwing and with MVG in that type of form, Anderson was always up against it here.
Both men began well in the first set but the world number one soon took over. He edged the first set after some fine throwing from both players but from there, things all went downhill for Anderson.
He began to snatch at his darts and with van Gerwen catching fire at the same time, this quickly turned into a one-sided battering. Within a half an hour of the first dart thrown, the green machine held a four sets to nil lead and he was already dashing towards the finish line.
VAN GERWEN NOW LEADS 4-0 | Both players averaging over 100, yet Mighty Mike takes yet ANOTHER set!#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/qXd2NfYice
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2018
He added on the fifth in snappy form and all the signs pointed to a whitewash until Anderson eventually found his feet.
ANDO GETS A SET ON THE BOARD | Is it too little too late for Gary Anderson….?#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/Bs5HQWYa2D
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2018
The world number two rallied in the seventh set of the game, getting the crowd on side with a few quickfire 180s but while he was setting up the chances for himself, he didn’t have the composure to take them.
You don’t get away with loose darts like that against a player of Michael van Gerwen’s quality and despite a mini-wobble in the seventh, he responded with an outrageous pair of bullseyes to set up a tops finish to leave Anderson reeling.
Imagine being able to set up a tops finish like van Gerwen does….🤤🤤#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/AeyflsWYsk
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2018
He closed it out soon after and now he’s heading for the final.
VAN GERWEN INTO FINAL | MvG runs riot against Gary Anderson, knocking out the 2 time champ, 6-1#WHDarts pic.twitter.com/W9m58l3puM
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2018
That means he’ll be up against Bully Boy Michael Smith in Tuesday’s final – a mouthwatering proposition when you consider that Smith goes into that game having broken van Gerwen’s semi-final record for 180s and as one of the biggest hitters in the game.
