Michael van Gerwen was very happy on Tuesday, but also very relieved after his spectacular victory over Joe Cullen (4-3) in the fourth round of the World Championship in London. The Brabant number one in the world came back from a 1-3 deficit, but was lucky that the Englishman missed two match darts.
“This was one of my toughest matches ever at the World Cup, but this is also why I dart. These are the matches that give you confidence and make you a stronger player. That I knew this match from the fire. dragging does a lot to me, “said a beaming Van Gerwen.
Van Gerwen encountered many more problems with Cullen than expected in advance. The number sixteen in the world played the match of his life. He broke the record for the most maximum scores in a best of 7 game with nineteen 180’ers, but could not top that with a stunt, because he collapsed under the pressure in the decisive leg of the seventh set.
“When Cullen is in a flow, he is a great player and he can be very dangerous, but I also know that if you keep putting him under pressure, he can suddenly miss a lot. Look at the Grand Slam of Darts. He had in the last group match against me needed one more leg to continue, but out of the blue nothing more. I remember things like that. “
“But fair is fair, I cannot complain. If he had aimed one of his match darts in the bull, he would have just deservedly won. I played okay, but certainly not great. I missed too many chances in the first, third and fourth set. That should not happen, so I blame myself. On the other hand, it also made the match nice again. “
Michael van Gerwen cries out after his victory over Joe Cullen.
Michael van Gerwen cries out after his victory over Joe Cullen. Photo: PDC / Lawrence Lustig
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‘This is terrible for Cullen’
Van Gerwen, who takes on Dimitri Van den Bergh or Dave Chisnall in the quarterfinals, also had to do with Cullen, who was inconsolable afterwards. He could not afford to give an interview and immediately left disappointed for the players hotel.
“This is terrible for him, but I’ve been in that position so many times and you really come out stronger. This was one of his best matches ever on television. The 180s flew in so easily, I went crazy. of. I wish him all the best because he is a great guy. “
Van Gerwen also impressed in the first two rounds against Ryan Murray (3-1) and Ricky Evans (4-0). Even then he also gave a signal to the competition with a 100+ average that he is completely back after a difficult year.
“I work very hard to achieve this, people sometimes underestimate that. But I still have a long way to go. I am only in the quarterfinals, I have not won anything yet. I will have to play three more times well. to achieve my goal. “
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