Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Adrian Lewis
Michael van Gerwen recovered from his earlier problems to return to
the top of the table with this crucial victory over Adrian Lewis, which
sees the Dutchman all but qualified for the play-offs.
Lewis did reply by posting his fourth 180 of the match, but when van
Gerwen resisted the pressure to hold throw and secure at least a point
the match was almost over. Lewis’ final act of resistance was to hold
throw in the tenth leg, but when van Gerwen did the same in the
eleventh Lewis was left without a point from two matches on the night.
“I was very disappointed after the first game because I don’t like to
lose any game, but I had to prepare myself again and try to win my
second match, and I’m very glad I did,” said van Gerwen.
“I didn’t do what I wanted to do against Phil but I had to try and win
the game after. I can do a lot better, but it was still enough to win the
second game.
“I need to take the positives out of the night, because I didn’t really
play my best game but I got two points and am still top of the table,
which is the most important thing.”
The Verdict
The big question that comes out of the action in Aberdeen will
undoubtedly be ‘has the tournament favourite changed?’. Phil Taylor
was more than impressive as he demolished van Gerwen and he now
lies in fourth place in the table with a game in hand over all
of those above him.
Tournament sponsors Betway still have van Gerwen
as a slight favourite at 6/5, whilst Taylor is a
7/4 shot at the time of writing, but for me
The Power has a slight edge at the moment
and he has a way of getting the job done
when it comes to the play-offs. Watch
this space I think!
At the other end of the table it i ́