Michael van Gerwen took just nine minutes to whitewash Richard North with a 111 average in the second round of the HappyBet German Darts Grand Prix this evening.
The world number one had marked his return to action following a month’s break for the birth of his daughter by winning last weekend’s Dutch Darts Masters in Maastricht, and the top seed laid down a marker in Mannheim with a 6-0 win over the qualifier.
Van Gerwen began his bid to win a fifth European Tour title of 2017 in ruthless fashion, winning six straight legs in 13, 14, 15, 15, 13 and 11 darts to set up a third-round clash with Gerwyn Price tomorrow.
“It’s been a great last month and I’m really enjoying myself and you could see that in my game last week,” the top seed said.
“I played really well in Maastricht and I hope I can continue the good form.
“I’ve got the spirit and good motivation at the moment. You always need to be critical of yourself – I had two legs where I had some 57s and 59s, but for the rest I’m doing quite well and that’s what I like to do.”
Welshman Price was a 6-3 winner against leading Polish ace Krzysztof Ratajski, who led 3-2 only for missed doubles in two successive legs to allow the UK Open finalist to start a run of four straight legs as he swept to victory in the afternoon.
Auckland Darts Masters champion Kyle Anderson posted his fifth successive average of over 100 on the European Tour with a brilliant display to defeat eighth seed Kim Huybrechts.
The Australian twice hit six perfect darts as he hit back from an early 2-1 deficit to land seven maximums and end with a 102.17 average – despite missing 15 darts at doubles.
Anderson now takes on ninth seed Jelle Klaasen in the last 16 tomorrow, with the former BDO world champion enjoying a 6-4 win over Scottish qualifier Jamie Bain in their second-round tie earlier in the day.
Bain, who had knocked out Dutch Darts Masters finalist Steve Beaton in the first round yesterday, hit back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2, but Klaasen dominated the second half of the game to progress.
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