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Defiant MVG denies crisis after beating Peter Wright

Mighty Michael van Gerwen insists that there’s “no crisis” after inflicting the first defeat of World Champion Peter Wright in 2020. The dynamic Dutchman came from 2-0 down to beat the Scots star on his emotional homecoming in Aberdeen last night.

MVG opened his Premier League 2020 account in some style to avenge his world final defeat a month ago.

Then he vowed: “There is no crisis trust me. I think I cracked Peter’s confidence a bit. It was a good thing to win obviously. I have a lot of passion to come back. I don’t think my back is to the wall but I am maybe out of my comfort zone with new darts.”

“Peter is the man on form, he is phenomenal and has so much confidence right now. That’s why he won the World Championship and Masters. But it was good to get a win and there’s a long way to go yet. This isn’t revenge at all.”

“I think it went well tonight, I can’t complain with how I played. I’m going through a tough time at the moment with getting used to my new darts. I can do whatever I want in practice with any darts but it’s different when you’re on the big stage.”

“But the decision to change is something I needed to do for the long-term benefit of my career. Of course I felt under pressure tonight not being World Champion, but I’ve put a lot of work in and I think I can build from here.”

MVG started slowly but gradually gained confidence after Wright had missed big chances to extend his early lead.

He added: “It’s nice to start with a win especially against Peter Wright. I broke his little confidence. I was more busy with my own performance. I am going for my fifth Premier League. Do I feel any pressure? I think the other players feel more pressure than me! Even when I’m not in my best form, they still feel more pressure than me. Even the World Champion and Masters winner couldn’t beat me. He was nervous.”

“I said to myself a month ago it might take two or three months to get going and can’t expect things to go well really quickly with new darts. It was tough to go 2-0 down. But you must never give up. Everyone knows I have a strong mindset and huge confidence. Sometimes you need to find things in life to make you sharp again. I think I found it.”

Wright missed a hatful of chances to put the Dutchman to the sword in the early stages and blamed himself.

He said: “I should have been 5-0 up but I missed my doubles tonight. I did OK in patches but that’s not good enough against Michael.”

Earlier that night another home favourite, Gary Anderson, sent the 8,000 strong Dartan Army fans wild with a succession of slick finishes to beat Daryl Gurney 7-5 – and then vowed he has three months to get back to his best.

He said: “I’m looking forward to this year. I can’t say on TV what it felt like to savour that atmosphere.  Anyone who plays any sport, to play in front of your own countrymen and the home crowd is just amazing. To be honest, it felt like I had never done it before.”

 

2020 Premier League Night One results

Thursday February 6

P&J Live, Aberdeen
Glen Durrant 7-3 Michael Smith
Gary Anderson 7-5 Daryl Gurney
Michael van Gerwen 7-5 Peter Wright
Nathan Aspinall 7-3 John Henderson
Gerwyn Price 6-6 Rob Cross

 


 

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