Monday 23 November 2015 09:17, UK
Michael van Gerwen stunned Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright with a sudden-death victory in the World Series of Darts final on Sunday.
The brilliant Van Gerwen, with the scores locked at 10-10, reeled off an 11-dart leg and checked out from 93 with a double 16 to secure the top prize in Glasgow.
Wright had earlier been one leg away from victory but Van Gerwen levelled the score-line at 10 apiece with a 129 checkout, hitting the bullseye, in a sequence that drew an admiring fist-bump from his opponent.
Wright, with the crowd vocally backing him in his home country, eventually succumbed to the world No 1 who took home the £30,000 winnings.
Van Gerwen had roared into the lead by winning by the first four legs but, after stopping the rot, Wright announced himself with a 121 finish. Wright took five legs in a row until Van Gerwen levelled the score with a 170 check out.
Van Gerwen broke to go 8-7 yet still Wright battled back, earning an immediate break back in response before going 9-8 ahead.
But the brilliance of the Dutchman in the final two legs eventually ended Wright's challenge.
"I had to play really well and I think this was a fantastic final, one of the best," said Van Gerwen, who had beaten Raymond van Barneveld and Adrian Lewis earlier in the day.
"Peter's a fantastic player, but I played well when I had to, especially at the end.
"The 129 was better than the 170 finish, but then the 180 afterwards was even better again because Peter put the pressure on me with a 140 at the start of the last leg, and I can see how strong I am when I need to be.
"The level at the moment is phenomenal and I'm really glad to be a part of that. I'm feeling great and I'm probably playing the best darts of my life.
"I want to win everything but it was a pleasure to play in this event and I think I deserved to win this trophy."
Wright, who defeated Phil Taylor 11-9 in the semi-finals, said: "It was a good final and I really enjoyed it - and I'm getting closer. The 129 was a fantastic shot and Michael played brilliantly in the last leg, and that's why he's number one in the world.
"Michael's a different class above everyone else at the moment, and for me to get that close, having been using these darts for a few weeks, I'm pretty happy and it won't be long before it's my turn."
Sunday's quarter-finals (best of 19):
James Wade 6-10 Peter Wright
Phil Taylor 10-3 Stephen Bunting
Adrian Lewis 10-6 Terry Jenkins
Raymond van Barneveld 8-10 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-finals (best of 21):
Phil Taylor 9-11 Peter Wright
Adrian Lewis 5-11 Michael van Gerwen
Final (best of 21)
Michael van Gerwen 11-10 Peter Wright
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