Michael van Gerwen successfully defended his Shanghai Darts Masters title after whitewashing Dave Chisnall 8-0 in the final yesterday.
The second event of this year’s World Series of Darts came to a conclusion at the Pullman Hotel Shanghai South yesterday, with the world number one retaining the crown he won 12 months ago with an unstoppable display.
Earlier in the day it had looked like the Dutchman’s grip on the title was about to be removed, as 16-time world champion Phil Taylor led 5-0 in their quarter-final clash.
Van Gerwen battled back to force a decider, which saw Taylor miss one match dart at tops to let the defending champion off, and he then went on to see off James Wade and Chisnall to ensure he kept hold of the title.
“It feels amazing,” van Gerwen said. “I worked hard for this and I’m glad I can hold this trophy.
“After the game against Phil I played phenomenal and it gave me great confidence. You have to be confident if you want to win trophies like this.
“You have to be ruthless in darts and if I can win 8-0 I try to win 8-0. I only want to win all the time, it’s not always that easy but I played well.
“This gives me great confidence for next week in Las Vegas and the World Matchplay. I’m over the moon.
“It’s going to be good fun in Las Vegas and I hope I can hold another trophy there.”
The final began with van Gerwen hitting double 12 for a comfortable hold of throw in the opening leg, before a 14-dart break set the tone for the rest of the contest.
A first maximum for van Gerwen followed as he moved into a 3-0 lead, with a 65 finish on double four securing a double break and a four-leg gap.
The 28-year-old went into the interval with a 6-0 advantage courtesy of another hold and then a 12-dart break, checking out 84 on double 12 to edge closer to victory.
The reigning world champion only allowed Chisnall one dart at the bullseye in the entire match and went on to seal the win in style, finishing off 114 to complete an 8-0 win with a 102.77 average.
Chisnall’s defeat saw him lose out to van Gerwen in a second World Series of Darts final, following his reverse in Perth last August, and he has now not defeated the Dutchman for almost 18 months.
“I didn’t turn up in the final,” the world number five admitted. “I was so tired, and when you play Michael he makes you even more tired when you watch him hitting treble 20 after treble 20.
“The best player won on the weekend so well done to Michael. I’ll get him one day.”
2017 Shanghai Darts Masters
Friday, July 7
Quarter-Finals
Raymond van Barneveld 8-1 Gary Anderson
Dave Chisnall 8-4 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 8-7 Phil Taylor
James Wade 8-5 Peter Wright
Semi-Finals
Dave Chisnall 8-4 Raymond van Barneveld
Michael van Gerwen 8-3 James Wade
Final
Michael van Gerwen 8-0 Dave Chisnall
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