Summary

  • Result: Michael van Gerwen 7-3 Michael Smith

  • Van Gerwen wins third title in his fourth final

  • Van Gerwen took initial four-set lead before Smith battled back

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Van Gerwen 6-3 Smith (1-0, 10th set)

    Van Gerwen looks a man annoyed at his wastefulness extending this final further. He takes the advantage in set 10 though.

  2. Smith wins ninth set

    Van Gerwen 6-3 Smith (2-3, ninth set)

    He was staring at defeat, but Michael Smith has won the ninth set. It looked like it was done, it looked like it was over. Some loose Van Gerwen shots and Smith holding his nerve to hit double seven. We continue.

    Michael SmithRex Features

  3. Double seven to stay alive in the championship for Smith.

  4. One more set or the final leg?

  5. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (2-2, ninth set)

    He doesn't get it. But he does take out 72, ending on tops, next time. A lifeline.

    Michael SmtihGetty Images

  6. Smith with a 164, he needs so badly.

  7. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (2-1, ninth set)

    And the Dutchman takes out D16. One leg away.

  8. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (1-1, ninth set)

    Smith starts to have that look of a beaten man. Van Gerwen to move one leg from the title.

  9. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (1-1, ninth set)

    Almost a 68 checkout, but a dart at tops from Van Gerwen is not successful and Smith pulls one back.

  10. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (1-0, ninth set)

    Fourteen, D20 and that is 54 vanished and Van Gerwen has an early lead, against the throw, and he starts the next one with a 177.

  11. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (into the ninth set)

    Smith starts set nine, but an early 180 from Van Gerwen instantly puts the Dutchman on the front foot.

  12. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (into the ninth set)

    Michael SmithGetty Images

    Van Gerwen showed some Rocky-like moves after winning that set. He has his man up against the ropes, can he land that knockout blow in the next few minutes?

  13. Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (into the ninth set)

    Into the ninth, and maybe the last, set.

  14. Get Involved #bbcdarts

    Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (3-2, eighth set)

    Sulaimon Adelekan: I am not a big fan of Michael Smith. He doesn't bring his A-game on big occasions.

  15. Van Gerwen one set from the title

    Van Gerwen 6-2 Smith (3-2, eighth set)

    Smith misses D5, just after Van Gerwen misses a shot at a double. That was for the set. That was for the set.

    Smith winces in pain as he knows he has thrown away a great chance. MVG does not mess about next time out and he now leads 6-2, one set from his third world title.

    Michael van GerwenGetty Images

  16. Van Gerwen 5-2 Smith (2-2, eighth set)

    Smith. 170, T20, T20, bull. No!

  17. Van Gerwen growls as hits a T19 to bring him to within 154 of a 6-2 lead.

  18. Van Gerwen 5-2 Smith (2-2, eighth set)

    This is a big moment in this match.

  19. Van Gerwen 5-2 Smith (2-2, eighth set)

    Into a deciding leg in set eight. Smith to throw first.

    Michael SmithGetty Images

  20. Van Gerwen 5-2 Smith (1-2, eighth set)

    "Stand up if you love the darts," and the crowd responds just as you would expect.