Semi-Final for Van Gerwen at World Matchplay

Wim Blokpoel - After Players Championship 20 where MVG lost in the final to Peter Wright, it was time for the 2021 World Matchplay, where the 32 best players of the world would play again in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. 5 of them were Dutch! After the withdrawal of Mensur Suljovic, Jermaine Wattimena joined the 4 already qualified Dutchmen in the field.

The opening night of the World Matchplay already saw 3 Dutchmen in action. Vincent van der Voort played in the opening game of the tournament against ‘Chizzy’ Dave Chisnall. It was a very tense game, but eventually Van der Voort lost 8-10, with an average of 94,4. Chisnall hit an average of 97,7. The next game was debutant ‘Aubergenius’ Dirk van Duijvenbode against Premier League Champion Jonny Clayton. Another close game, but another Dutch defeat as DVD lost 7-10 to Clayton while averaging 92,7. Clayton averaged 96 himself.

Third Dutchman on the opening night was Jermaine Wattimena who played Gerwyn Price. The replacement from Westervoort had a good start, and managed to hold on against the World Number One, but unfortunately let Price run away after the first commercial break, as Price beat him 4-10. A day later ‘The Freeze’ Danny Noppert started his tournament against World number Two Peter Wright. Noppert got 1-0 up, however then lost 2-10... An average of 92,1 wasn’t enough against Snakebite who averaged 99,8. Final Dutchman left in the tournament was Michael van Gerwen. The Dutch number one played Australian Damon Heta, and got into another tough game which he managed to win 10-7 while averaging 95,7. 

Next opponent for Mighty Mike was Ian ‘Diamond’ White. A very impressive performance from MVG came, as he averaged 100,7 in beating White 11-8! Into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2017 Van Gerwen played Nathan Aspinall. A poor game from both but MVG comfortably won 16-9 averaging just 94,7. In his first Matchplay semi-final since 2016 Van Gerwen played Peter Wright. It was an incredible game from Wright, and there was nothing MVG could do as he lost 10-17. Van Gerwen averaged 101,3 and Wright 110,4!!!! So a semi-final it is, and it’s still a good achievement for Van Gerwen. Let’s hope his third Matchplay title will come next year!