Michael van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen seems to be closing the regular phase of the Premier League as the leader. The Dutchman also beat José de Sousa on Wednesday in Milton Keynes and therefore has a draw in the last round of play on Thursday to enter the semi-finals as number one.
As a result, there is a bonus of 25,000 pounds (almost 29,000 euros) for the 32-year-old Dutchman, who had already secured the play-offs for the Premier League title thanks to a victory over Gary Anderson on Tuesday. The final round is scheduled for Friday in the Marshall Arena.
Michael van Gerwen and De Sousa kept each other in balance for a long time, until the Dutchman struck in the ninth leg. He broke the Portuguese for 4-5 and even ran out to 4-7. De Sousa cleared one break and even had the chance to get 7-7, but he missed the double 20. Van Gerwen did not fail on tops and thus booked his second victory in a row.
In Milton Keynes, Van Gerwen is on revenge. Last year, the five-time winner missed the final round of the competition for the first time in his career. At the beginning of this year, the three-time world champion against Dave Chisnall also lost without a chance in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
Results match round 15 Premier League (Michael van Gerwen)
- Johnny Clayton-Peter Wright 5-8
2. James Wade-Dimitri Van den Bergh 7-7
3. Gary Anderson-Nathan Aspinall 7-7
4. José de Sousa-Michael van Gerwen 6-8
Debutant De Sousa to semi-finals
Despite the defeat against Van Gerwen, debutant De Sousa qualified for the semi-finals, because number five Dimitri Van den Bergh got no further than a draw against James Wade. The best four players qualify for the play-offs.
Aspinall surprisingly played a draw against the bottom of the league Gary Anderson and therefore has to beat De Sousa on the final day of the regular season on Thursday to threaten Van Gerwen’s lead. In case of a tie, the leg balance is decisive. Van Gerwen has a better balance (+22 to +20) and will meet Peter Wright on Thursday.
Despite his victory over Johnny Clayton, Wright has already been eliminated from the Premier League. Van den Bergh and Clayton will play against each other on Thursday, so that one of the two finishes above the World Cup winner of 2020.
Premier League standings after round 15 (Michael van Gerwen)
1. Michael van Gerwen * 15-21 (+22)
2. Nathan Aspinall * 15-19 (+20)
3. José de Sousa 15-18 (+15)
4. Jonny Clayton 15-16 (+5)
5. Dimitri Van den Bergh 15-16 (+2)
6. Peter Wright 15-15 (-6)
7. James Wade 15-13 (-5)
8. Gary Anderson 15-13 (-11)
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