Michael van Gerwen staged a thrilling comeback to beat Mervyn King 6-4 to take the World Grand Prix at the Citywest in Dublin last night.
By Declan Whooley
Although the 23 year-old took the opening leg, King took the first set 3-1. Van Gerwen came back into the game but his old failing came back to haunt him as he missed six darts at doubles in the fifth set to allow King swoop in and take it to assume a commanding 4-1 lead and seemingly on the road to victory.
It was not to be and the Dutch player reeled off six legs in a row to pull it back to 4-3, before taking the eight set 3-1 to level the tie.
The momentum had swung completely in his favour and came for 2-0 down in the ninth to go ahead for the first time.
He then took victory in style, winning the final set 3-0 and checking out on 145.
“It’s the best day of my life,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’m not a person who gives up so this feels very good for me – I’m so happy to have won,” said van Gerwen who now moves up to eight on the PDC Order of Merit.
It brings to an end a fantastic week of new darts, with a growing legion of fans and now a new name on the trophy.
