Michael van Gerwen denies Wessel Nijman in epic decider at the World Series Finals
Michael van Gerwen came through a thrilling last-leg shootout with Wessel Nijman on the opening night of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam on Friday.
Van Gerwen held his nerve to edge out an impressive Nijman and launch his quest for a record-extending sixth World Series Finals title at the AFAS Live.
Nijman led 2-0, 3-1 and 5-4 as he closed in on a landmark victory, but missed a match dart as Van Gerwen forced a decider and fired in a 174 setup shot, before converting double 18 to prevail with a 104.7 average.
“Of course I’m delighted with this result,” insisted Van Gerwen, champion in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2023.
“Wessel is a great player and his cover shooting was absolutely phenomenal tonight, but I felt great the whole game.
“I think this was one of my best performances in Holland for a long time, and that gives me a lot of joy.”
Luke Humphries, meanwhile, survived two match darts en route to victory over 2018 champion James Wade with a 99 average in another compelling contest.
“It was a strange performance,” admitted the world number one, who produced legs of 14 and 13 darts to overturn a 5-4 deficit.
“One minute it was great, and the next it was really poor. My consistency is not there yet, but I’m working my way back into form and I’m pleased to win.
“I was very fortunate that James missed those two match darts, but when I get past that first round I’m usually dangerous, and now I’m more hungry than ever.”
Top seed Stephen Bunting was sent packing by 2019 runner-up Danny Noppert – who sealed a 6-4 victory to bring a premature end to his opponent’s superb 2025 World Series campaign.
Josh Rock turned on the style in the closing stages of his 6-3 victory against Krzysztof Ratajski, sealing his progress with a 121 checkout on the bull.
Rob Cross made a winning return to the Netherlands after lifting the Dutch Darts Masters title in Den Bosch back in January, defeating New Zealand’s Haupai Puha 6-3 with 60 per cent on the doubles and a 98 average.
Australian number one Damon Heta and World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker will go head-to-head in round two, after the pair overcame Joe Cullen and Gabriel Clemens in their respective first round ties.
Heta celebrated his first televised victory over an out of sorts Cullen with a dominant 6-1 success, before De Decker saw off Clemens 6-3, despite the German missing double 12 for a nine-darter in the third leg.
Kevin Doets opened proceedings with a narrow victory over his compatriot Jermaine Wattimena, surviving four match darts to set up a showdown with Humphries on Saturday night.
World Series of Darts Finals 2025 Day One Results
Friday September 12
First Round
Kevin Doets 6-5 Jermaine Wattimena
Josh Rock 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
Damon Heta 6-1 Joe Cullen
Mike De Decker 6-3 Gabriel Clemens
Luke Humphries 6-5 James Wade
Wessel Nijman 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
Stephen Bunting 4-6 Danny Noppert
Rob Cross 6-3 Haupai Puha
