Van den Bergh lands nine-darter in stunning victory over Van Gerwen at the Winmau World Masters

Dimitri van den Bergh produced a spectacular nine-darter on his way to a dramatic victory over Michael van Gerwen in the second round of the Winmau World Masters on Saturday.

Van den Bergh raised the roof at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes as he recorded his third televised nine-darter before going on to complete a pulsating deciding-set success.

The final set saw Van den Bergh land a break of throw to move within a leg of victory, but Van Gerwen looked odds-on to break straight back as he left 87 with his opponent back on 135.

However, the Dutchman uncharacteristically bust his score and on the following visit missed a big number to deny himself a dart at the bullseye, allowing Van den Bergh the chance to take out 16 – which he seized at the first time of asking.

“I think it was written in the stars for once,” said Van den Bergh.

“Everybody knows the head-to-head record between me and Michael, so I am stoked with that!

“I was 3-2 down when I hit the nine-darter, so my focus was just on winning the leg.

“I have seen so many people hit nine-darters, and they are amazing, but you need to win games, you need to win matches.

“That’s where my focus was, and I believe in what I can do.”

Van den Bergh will face Nathan Aspinall in Sunday’s quarter-finals, after the Premier League came from a set down to reel off four in a row and dispatch Cameron Menzies.

Aspinall failed to hit the heights of his first round performance, but dug deep in a gruelling contest to keep his title hopes on track.

Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton will meet on a televised stage for the first time after coming through their second round ties in contrasting fashion.

Littler romped to a 4-0 whitewash of James Wade, while Clayton produced a remarkable comeback to beat Ryan Searle 4-3.

Reigning World Champion Littler averaged 105.5 in a devastating display which saw Wade denied a single dart at double in a contest which lasted just 19 minutes.

“I think I played very well there,” admitted Littler. “It wasn’t James’ night tonight, but 105 average and 50% on the doubles – I’m really happy with that.

“I just wanted to get the job done, because I know what James can do, and I’m happy to get another win.

“I’m a quick starter and in this format that’s really important, so I’ll make sure I am fully focused and ready for tomorrow.”

Clayton’s passage through to the Last Eight was less serene as he survived a match dart from Searle in set five before completing a superb comeback.

After Searle missed a dart at double 19 to win 4-1, the Welshman won six of the last eight legs to book his place in the quarter-finals of a televised tournament for the first time since the World Grand Prix last October.

“I don’t know how, but I’m still here!” joked Clayton.

“I tried to keep believing in my own game, and I just took it leg by leg.

“We all know how good Ryan Searle is, so I’m going to credit myself for digging deep, and I loved every second of that.”

World number one Luke Humphries will take on Damon Heta after sealing a 4-0 demolition of Josh Rock, pinning eight of his 12 attempts at doubles to cap off a clinical display.

Humphries survived a set dart in the opening set, before winning six of the last seven legs in a dominant display.

“It was a decent performance, but I still feel like there’s another gear to come from me,” said Humphries.

“There’s always pressure on you. You have to navigate your way through against so many tough players, and I’m going to have to improve.

“I’m enjoying myself. I have achieved so much in the last 18 months – more than I could have ever dreamed of, and if I’m in the back end of big majors, then I’m always dangerous.”

Heta won through a dramatic second round clash against Gerwyn Price, surviving a match dart in the deciding leg after the Welshman recovered from 3-1 down to draw level.

The Australian number one punished crucial errors from the 2021 World Champion to establish early daylight, only to squander six match darts and survive a match dart of his own in a gripping climax.

“I thought I’d blown it, 100%,” admitted Heta, who is through to his first televised ranking quarter-final since the UK Open last March.

“Whenever you’re playing against Gezzy, you want to bring your best game. I kept my emotions in check, I played my own game, and I took my chances.

“I’m absolutely stoked with that win. I’m really happy with where I’m at, and I believe things are going to keep getting better for me, because I’m a workhorse!”

Meanwhile, 2024 PDC Masters champion Stephen Bunting maintained his bid for back-to-back titles in Milton Keynes with a battling 4-2 win over Peter Wright.

The Scottish veteran converted skin-saving 120 and 122 finishes as he fought to overturn a 3-1 deficit, but Bunting regained his poise in the latter stages to book his place in the quarter-finals.

Bunting will take on Danny Noppert in the Last Eight, after the Dutch number two produced a classy display to dispatch William O’Connor 4-0, sealing the deal with a 118 checkout.

Winmau World Masters 2025 Day Three Results

Saturday February 1

Second Round

Afternoon Session
William O’Connor 0-4 Danny Noppert
Damon Heta 4-3 Gerwyn Price
Stephen Bunting 4-2 Peter Wright
Luke Humphries 4-0 Josh Rock

Evening Session
Jonny Clayton 4-3 Ryan Searle
Cameron Menzies 1-4 Nathan Aspinall
Luke Littler 4-0 James Wade
Michael van Gerwen 3-4 Dimitri Van den Bergh – *Van den Bergh hits a nine-darter*