BoyleSports World Grand Prix – Day 3 Review

Michael van Gerwen stormed into the BoyleSports World Grand Prix quarter-finals with an imperious 3-0 defeat of Dutch rival Jeffrey de Zwaan in Dublin on Tuesday night as Michael Smith, James Wade and Gary Anderson all made their exits.

The reigning champion in the double-start event had endured some nervous moments during Sunday’s first round win over Jamie Hughes, but produced the highest average of the tournament so far at 94.79 as he powered past De Zwaan.

The youngster had defeated van Gerwen in both the UK Open and World Matchplay in 2018, but was restricted to just three darts at a finishing double during a one-sided contest.

Four-time champion van Gerwen raced through the first set in little over four minutes, landing two 12-darters and finishing 134 as he asserted his dominance.

De Zwaan took out a 120 finish in the second, only for van Gerwen to double his advantage with a 3-1 scoreline before repeating that in the third to complete the win.

“I know what I’m capable of and I think played really well,” said van Gerwen. “I had to because Jeffrey is a good guy and a phenomenally talented player, so you have to put him under pressure to make sure you keep on top of him.

“I’m very confident and I feel really good. With my scoring power and my finishing, I can’t really complain.”

Van Gerwen will now meet Mervyn King in Thursday’s quarter-finals in a repeat of the 2012 World Grand Prix final, which the Dutchman had won to claim his maiden PDC televised title.

“I’ve got Mervyn next and I want to play exactly the same against him,” said the World Champion.

“Of course I fancy my chances but Mervyn is playing really well again and I need to make sure I’m sharp.”

Ian White, who defeated Michael Smith, will now play Chris Dobey, who reached his third televised quarter-final with a superb 3-1 victory over two-time World Champion Gary Anderson.

The Scot, a former Dublin finalist, defied a showpiece 134 checkout from Dobey to claim the opening set 3-2, only to see the Newcastle youngster come from 2-1 down to level in the second.

Dobey then finished 90, 60 and 110 to win the third without reply, before securing his last eight place by claiming set four with a 3-1 scoreline.

“I think my overall performance was pretty good and I’m delighted to have won,” said Dobey. “I knew I had the game to beat Gary and I had to keep my cool, and it’s up there with my best performances on stage.

“It means a lot to me. This is a great competition to be in and I like the double-start format – I think it suits my game. I’m not here to make the numbers up, I’m in it to win it but I’m not going to look any further forward than the next game.”