Gary Anderson secured a hat-trick of World Series of Darts titles with victory in the Zipang Casino Tokyo Darts Masters.
The reigning world champion had broken his World Series duck with victories in Dubai and Auckland this year, with an 8-6 defeat of Michael van Gerwen handing him the title at the Yoyogi Olympic Hall.
“It’s great to win here,” Anderson said. “I was really impressed with the Japanese guys this year, they’re getting better and better.
“The win gives me confidence, and I’m looking forward to going home to relax and prepare for Blackpool, which should be a cracking tournament.”
The world number one and two put on a thrilling show for the enthusiastic Japanese crowd, with both players averaging over 100 in a match that hinged on one vital break of throw in the 11th leg.
After the opening 10 legs of the final, which included a 161 checkout from Anderson, all went with throw, the key first break came in the next leg when the Scot hit tops to move ahead of van Gerwen for the first time.
A hold of throw in the next leg put Anderson on the brink of victory at 7-5, before van Gerwen took the score to 7-6 and forced his opponent to throw for the match.
MVG would have two darts at double 16 to break back and force a decider, with Anderson checking out 108 on tops to claim an 8-6 win and his third World Series title in four events so far in 2016.
The Flying Scotsman had begun today with an impressive 8-3 win over Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter-finals, where he averaged 103 and hit almost 60 per cent of his doubles.
Anderson then moved into the final with an 8-5 victory over Adrian Lewis, in a repeat of their finals in Auckland, and the World Championship, earlier this year.
On the other side of the draw, van Gerwen faced a tough test from Dave Chisnall in the quarter-finals.
Chizzy hit six doubles from eight attempts to lead 6-4, before MVG rallied with four straight legs to squeeze into the last four, where he was a more comfortable 8-3 winner over James Wade, in a rematch of their Shanghai Darts Masters final last month.
The Dutchman hit over 60 per cent of his double attempts in the semi-finals, but was unable to repeat the success in the final.
“I had two chances to break his throw, but well played to Gary who was stronger” van Gerwen recalled.
“That 108 from Gary at the end was special, but I’ll get ready for the World Matchplay now because it’s been a long tour for us.”
In the two other two quarter-finals, Lewis overcame Peter Wright with a narrow 8-6 triumph.
The pair traded breaks throughout the match, but a 132 checkout on the bull from Jackpot swung the game in his favour, and he admitted: “That was a massive moment. I hit the 25 and didn’t fancy it at all, when the treble 19 went in I fancied it even less but I moved across and in it went!”
Reigning champion Phil Taylor lost 8-7 to Wade in the last eight.
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