Michael van Gerwen says ‘hunger won’t stop’ as he looks to clean Down Under with World Grand Prix looming | News about darts

MVG has had a great 2022 so far, following its sixth Premier League success with its third World Matchplay championship in July; he also won two Player Championships and a European Tour hat-trick; he has his sixth World Grand Prix title in October

Michael van Gerwen hopes to keep his confidence up as he kicks off this year’s World Series’ Roadshow Down Under with a win in Townsville

Michael van Gerwen says “the hunger won’t stop” as the Dutchman looks set to continue his sensational form Down Under in preparation for October’s World Grand Prix in Leicester.

Van Gerwen kicked off this year’s Roadshow World Series run with a win in Townsville, beat world No. 1 Gerwyn Price in last month’s World Matchplay final repeat.

Price punished a slow start by Van Gerwen to set up a 4-1 scoreline in Saturday’s game, only for the three-time world champion to win seven of the next eight and claim the prize. The highest is worth £20,000.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

Watch the top checks from the World Match final in Blackpool

“I feel great,” said Van Gerwen, who averaged 99.87, hit 5.180 and hit two extra shots in his comeback win over the Welshman.

“I think I did well, especially in the last few rounds of the final, when I had to play really well.

“Gerwyn is a great player, so beating him in a final like this is great.

“At the beginning of the day I still felt a bit underpowered, but the more I played, the more I had the will to win.

“That’s really important, especially when you’re up against top players like Joe Cullen and Gerwyn Price.”

“I said before the trip that I wanted to win at least one of the three World Series [titles] and after winning the first one, the hunger won’t stop. I’m looking forward to the next one”

Michael van Gerwen

Despite undergoing surgery to address carpal tunnel syndrome he is suffering from in his right arm, Van Gerwen is back somewhere close to his best form.

He won his sixth in the Premier League and then won his third World Matchplay championship in July.

The 33-year-old will be aiming to add to his five World Grand Prix titles as this year’s tournament heads to Leicester’s Morningside Arena this October – live on Sports sky.

“I haven’t been doing too badly lately, so I need to keep that confidence going,” added the world number 3.

“I believe in my own game. Things are going well at the moment and I’m starting to win games again and that 50/50 foot. I feel good at the moment, but you have to keep doing it.”

Van Gerwen’s win in Queensland was his 17th win in the World Darts Series, more than double that of Phil Taylor, who is second on the all-time list with eight titles.

The Dutch star will try to maintain his all-win record at this week’s New South Wales Darts Masters, before he defends his New Zealand Darts Masters crown in Hamilton from August 26 to 27.

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

Michael van Gerwen overcame Joe Cullen in a dramatic final to win his sixth Premier League title in Berlin

“I’ve got a great record in World Series tournaments, but I’m not finished yet,” said Van Gerwen, who will be the second seed in Wollongong.

“This is the start of this year’s tour and there’s a lot more to come, but you need to conserve your energy and make sure you do the right things at the right time.

“I said before the trip that I wanted to win at least one of the three World Series [titles] and after winning the first one, the hunger won’t stop. I am looking forward to the next part. “

Watch the daily Darts news on skysports.com/dartsour mobile app and Twitter account @skysportsdarts. The 25th round of the World Grand Prix ‘Double in, Double out’ will take place on Sky Sports from October 2 to 8 in Leicester.