Michael Van Gerwen progressed to the next round, but he didn’t have it all his own way.
The former three-time world champion stepped up to the oche for the second time at Ally Pally in his third round encounter with Irish star Brendan Dolan.
PDCVan Gerwen didn’t always find it easy but is through to the round of 16[/caption]
And ‘The Green Machine’ managed to push through to the next round, picking up a 4-2 win with Dolan putting up a resilient display.
Incredibly the high-scoring Dutchman averaged a whopping 118.7 in the fourth set, a sign towards the latter stages that he is capable of replicating his brilliant best.
He looked to be cruising to a 4-1 victory but Dolan stole the fifth set and kept things interesting.
Overall, Van Gerwen played well and was happy with his performance, but was left ruing missed opportunities in two of the sets.
He said in his post-match interview: “It was tough, it was really hard and a really difficult game.
“Everybody can see he never gives up and you have to try and punish him at the right moments and I wasn’t capable of doing it.
“I can only blame myself for that, but I was so glad that double eight went in at the end.
“I thought after 1-1 I produced two really good sets but then I let it slip away. The fifth set was absolute c**p and you’re not allowed to do that.
“You have to keep performing and believing in your own ability and you want to do the right thing for yourself.
“There is a lot of work still to do and I know I’m capable of doing it. I’m looking forward to the next round and let it roll on.”
GettyDolan tried to make things as difficult as possible for MVG[/caption]
Van Gerwen added in an interview with talkSPORT: “After the fourth set, it wasn’t the best.
“But luckily I had the right throws in the right moments, although I made it difficult.
“Luckily in darts that happens, but I was pleased with that double 8 at the end.
“But I was impressed with my will to win and my fighting mentality.
“We all know I’m going through a bad patch in my career, but I’m trying to keep going.
“I know I can do it if I keep fighting and believing in my own ability and everything is possible.”
Van Gerwen still remains one of the leading pack to claim the crown, alongside Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.
He has the favourable side of the draw right now after his victory, and is currently highest ranked in it en route to the final.
The former champion will face the winner of Jeffrey De Graaf’s third round clash with Paolo Nebreida.
Should De Graaf progress, he could be a real threat given his previous giant killing of Gary Anderson earlier in the tournament.
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