Michael van Gerwen admitted he was getting ‘annoyed’ during his epic win ovre Callan Rydz at the World Darts Championship. The three-time champion was placed under immense pressure by his opponent in an all-time great encounter at Alexandra Palace.
Van Gerwen won 5-3 but struggled to find his groove against the impressive Rydz. The Englishman had the highest average of any player at the tournament and averaged 103.88 against the Dutchman, whose own average was 103.10.
Having squeezed into the semi-final, where he will face last-four debutant Chris Dobey, Van Gerwen was hugely impressed by Rydz’s quality. He admitted that he was growing frustrated with his opponent’s inability give up, believing on several occasions that he had broken only to face enormous pressure.
Van Gerwen said on stage: “He gave me everything. He didn’t stop throwing trebles. At 4-2 I thought, ‘Now I’ve broken him’ but he never gave up, he kept throwing 180s. I was getting annoyed! More important, I did it when I had to and I’m so glad with my own performance. I’m really happy.
“I think my game is in a good place. But I’m only in a semi-final so it doesn’t mean anything. I need to make sure I maintain this form. I think the crowd deserves it, but more importantly I think I deserve it.
“The game had everything. To be part of games like this always gives you a lot of joy. I think it’s one of my best performances in a long time because he kept me under pressure constantly. I couldn’t move at all. I’m over the moon.
“Everyone knows I’ve had a tough year and I’m battling form everywhere. What do you wanna know? I’m still here and I believe in my own ability. This means a lot to me.”
MVG later praised Rydz for not giving up. He believes the 26-year-old is the player of the tournament so far.
“The way he played was brilliant. He never gave up and the way he put me under pressure he deserves a lot of credit,” Van Gerwen told talkSPORT.
“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.”
