Michael Van Gerwen was frustrated with just how sensational Callan Rydz was in their epic quarter-final.
Rydz has been on fire at the tournament averaging the highest out of any player at the PDC World Championship, and he was looking to produce an upset and take out the former three-time world champion.
PDCVan Gerwen and Rydz produced a match for the ages in North London[/caption]
Van Gerwen has produced some vintage displays over the years, but has struggled to be at his very best in a difficult 2024.
But he rolled back the years, with a sensational 103.10 average as he beat ‘The Riot’ in a modern-era classic, with Rydz matching his every step in the 5-3 victory.
Rydz himself averaged higher than Van Gerwen at 103.88, and threw 17 of the mammoth 31 180’s, a breathtaking display of tungsten magic.
He said on stage after the win: “He gave me everything. He didn’t stop throwing trebles.
“He kept throwing 180s and I was getting really annoyed at one point. I was so glad with my own performance, I’m very happy.”
The Dutch legend then added in an interview with talkSPORT: “Yeah the way he played was brilliant.
“He never gave up and the way he put me under pressure he deserves a lot of credit.
“He showed that he was the player of the tournament, he had the best average so far and it was great how he played.
“Yeah I think he was pinning tops tops, he put me under much so pressure.
“I could have been in a much easier position, but he was fantastic and now I have to move on.”
PDCVan Gerwen couldn’t believe the levels Rydz showed during the match[/caption]
Van Gerwen took the opening set in a deciding leg shootout as he looked to put down an early marker, pinning double top at the second time of asking.
Both players had got into a groove early on, but it was ‘The Riot’ who took complete control of the second set.
He averaged a mammoth 109.98 and levelled the match, with Van Gerwen missing chances at double as Rydz took all three legs to make it 1-1.
The Englishman had already hit five 180s by the time the match reached the third leg of the third set, with ‘The Riot’ doing more than enough to keep up with the ‘Green Machine’.
But Van Gerwen showed his class and snatched the third set with a neat two-dart 64 finish to edge into the lead.
Rydz fired straight back and managed to claw back yet another set as he played the chaser in the match.
PDCRydz emerged as a fan favourite and has banked huge credit despite his defeat[/caption]
The pair’s averages remained extremely high and despite Rydz averaging over 100, he couldn’t edge ahead of Van Gerwen.
The Dutchman brought the crowd into play pinning seven perfect darts before missing the treble 19, met with a chorus of boos in the absence of a nine-dart finish.
But he made the match 3-2 with yet more opportunistic play and Rydz needed to come from behind again.
Van Gerwen looked in a groove and took the sixth set to take the most significant lead of the match, with Rydz needing a huge turnaround to win the match.
Rydz wasn’t out of the woods yet as he continued his breathtaking display with two double tops to steal a set back and keep things honest at 4-3.
But ultimately it wasn’t enough as ‘The Green Machine’ saw out the victory 5-3 and will now face Chris Dobey in the semi-final.
Tune into talkSPORT 2 for coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen via our web player, app, on DAB, or through your smart speaker.