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‘The Iceman’ adds prestigious World Grand Prix crown to pair of Grand Slam wins and recent World Series of Darts success
By Paul Prenderville at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Last Updated: 10/12/20 10:28 pm
0:56
Gerwyn Price won the World Grand Prix with a victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Gerwyn Price ended Dirk van Duijvenbode’s fairy tale at the World Grand Prix with a ruthless 5-2 victory in the final to add a third major television ranking title to his CV and climb to second in the world rankings. .
‘The Iceman’ overtakes world champion Peter Wright to sit behind Michael van Gerwen in the rankings after winning his fourth title in the last five tournaments he has played, underscoring his claim to be the best player in the world right now. .
Price’s victory ends the dream streak of Van Duijvenbode, the 28-year-old eggplant producer who will return to work in the Netherlands on Tuesday after becoming the first rookie to reach the final of the double-entry single event since the opening. competition.
Van Duijvenbode can console himself with a place in the world’s top 64 and the biggest payday of his career, but it was The Iceman who lifted the trophy and claimed the £ 110,000 top prize while continuing a ruthless winning streak in style.
Quick Start for Clinical Iceman
Van Duijvenbode was forced to be vigilant for much of the first set, as he was only allowed one dart in a double-final as Price advanced early.
Having missed a dart on the flysheet for a 105 finish that raised the ceiling early, the Welshman went back to clinically clearing for a first-set sweep as the Dutchman gave him little trouble playing in the biggest match of his life. .
0:39 Relive the moment of Gerwyn Price’s victory at the World Grand Prix after beating Dirk van Duijvenbode 5-2 in the final.
‘The Titan’ calmed his nerves with a clinical final of 70 to start a high-quality second set. Both men traded excellent combinations of results with Van Duijvenbode racking up three 180s along the way, but The Iceman has gotten used to staying cool in crucial moments and a brilliant 87 on the bullseye put him within two sets for good.
The 15 consecutive darts proved that Van Duijvenbode was not about to be intimidated by his more experienced opponent, effectively stealing the darts from Price in the third set on his way to securing the set.
However, having opened a window back to the contest and just as a resurgence of the underdog was on the cards, Price once again stamped his authority on the entire match.
2:39 Gerwyn Price is aiming for future titles after winning the World Grand Prix.
A 14-dart throwing break set the tone, as he averaged 90 in the fourth set to the Dutchman’s 60, and the winning post began to loom into view of Markham’s man in South Wales.
Van Duijvenbode left to rue missed opportunities
For the second consecutive set, Van Duijvenbode could barely get his average above 60 in the fifth set and Price forged a 2-0 lead only for the Dutchman to stop the rot in spectacular fashion.
A dazzling 135 finish on the bullseye launched the Titan, who also claimed the fourth stage, forcing Price to a decisive stage for the tenth time in the tournament. Having won the previous nine sets to go the distance, Price delivered again, but only after his opponent missed a double-top dart for a 114 finish that would have made it 3-2.
Van Duijvenbode was left to regret a couple of key moments in which the opportunity to return to the game went to beg.
Instead, Price covered the double four and had a three-set lead.
Before this week, Van Duijvenbode’s experience in the longer formats was limited, but with the shackles out he began to relax, pitching at a faster pace and was able to pinch the sixth set, ending his 10-game winning streak. Price in the last leg. -Departures during the week.
0:29 Van Duijvenbode punished Price for his failed darts, hitting the target to get 135
A 12-dart leg helped the Dutchman move two clearings in the seventh set, but Price struggled to regain the advantage by forcing another decisive match in the final stretch and appropriately in a tournament where he led the key moments he did it again, this time with a graceful 102 ending, to get your hands on the trophy.
Darts is back Sky sports Thursday night with the exciting conclusion of the Premier League Play-Offs, while the big tournaments continue in November with the Darts World Cup and the Darts Grand Slam.
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