Gerwyn Price claims fabulous fourth International Darts Open title
Gerwyn Price made it back-to-back European Tour titles as he defeated Michael van Gerwen 8-4 in the final to retain the International Darts Open crown in Riesa.
Seven days on from his European Darts Open triumph in Leverkusen, Price continued his prolific form in Germany by adding another £30,000 title.
The Welshman registered four ton-plus averages en route to glory at the Sachsen Arena, including a 105.6 in the final to record a fourth straight win over Van Gerwen.
Price began the day with a thrilling last-leg victory over Belgium’s Mike De Decker, averaging more than 106 to prevail in a contest which featured 13 maximums.
The former World Champion continued his charge with a battling victory over third seed Rob Cross, before averaging almost 107 to dispatch Dirk van Duijvenbode in the Semi-Finals, in a repeat of last weekend’s decider.
Price drew first blood in sensational style in the final, converting a tops-tops 134 finish to break throw, and he established a 4-1 cushion after punishing a clutch of missed doubles from Van Gerwen.
The defending champion extended his lead to 6-1 after following up a clinical 76 finish with a 12-dart break, although Van Gerwen responded with back-to-back legs to preserve his slender hopes.
However, the Dutchman was unable to make further inroads, as Price produced a brace of 14-dart holds to clinch his eighth European Tour title.
“I think I am half-German now!” joked Price, who has won four of the last five editions of the International Open.
“I’ve been getting great support over the last couple of months and it is showing on the board. I know I’m playing well and I’m putting players under pressure.
“Michael wasn’t at his best today. He missed a couple of doubles and those crucial doubles have got to go in if you want to win tournaments.
“Thankfully I’ve been scoring well and those crucial doubles have been going in, because on another day it could have been a different story.
“I am sure it was a great game for the crowd. Michael is a great player and he will come back, so I’m happy to win this one.”
Van Gerwen was bidding to win a record-extending 36th European Tour title – his first at this event – but was unable to recover from his subdued start against an imperious Price.
The Dutch superstar dropped just five legs in his three victories on Sunday, following up a 6-1 success against Jose de Sousa with a whitewash win over Premier League rival Peter Wright.
Van Gerwen then defied a spirited rally from home favourite Martin Schindler to reach his first European Tour final of 2023, closing out a 7-4 success having earlier led 4-0.
“Gezzy is in good form and when he’s in this form he is going to punish you,” admitted Van Gerwen.
“That’s part of the game and you have to learn from that. It is nice to make the final but for me it’s not enough, it’s as simple as that.
“The crowd are always phenomenal but you want to perform well for yourself and for the fans watching, but today wasn’t my day.
“When you make too many mistakes against a player of Gerwyn’s calibre, you are going to regret it, and that is what happened tonight.”
This weekend’s action also saw Schindler continue his impressive progress in the sport by reaching his first European Tour Semi-Final on home soil.
The German star followed up his opening round win over Raymond van Barneveld by dumping out Premier League duo Nathan Aspinall and Jonny Clayton to reach the Last Four.
Van Duijvenbode also bowed out at the Semi-Final stage, defeating his compatriot Danny Noppert and Australia’s number one Damon Heta before succumbing to Price for the second straight event.
International Darts Open 2023 Day Three Results
Sunday April 2
Afternoon Session
Last 16
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Jose de Sousa
Peter Wright 6-4 Alan Soutar
Dave Chisnall 2-6 Jonny Clayton
Nathan Aspinall 3-6 Martin Schindler
Damon Heta 6-3 Niko Springer
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 Danny Noppert
Rob Cross 6-3 Josh Rock
Mike De Decker 5-6 Gerwyn Price
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Peter Wright
Jonny Clayton 3-6 Martin Schindler
Damon Heta 4-6 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Rob Cross 4-6 Gerwyn Price
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 7-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Final
Gerwyn Price 8-4 Michael van Gerwen
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