Paddy Power Champions League of Darts |
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Date: 19-20 October Venue: Morningside Arena, Leicester |
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Sport website; live text coverage of Sunday’s final session on the BBC Sport website and app |
World number one Michael van Gerwen won four straight legs to fight back from 10-7 down and beat Peter Wright to claim his first Champions League of Darts title in Leicester.
Wright looked set for victory when he won back-to-back legs to move within one of the title himself.
But after Wright missed three shots at double 12 at 10-8, Van Gerwen hit back to win it on double 16.
It means Van Gerwen has won every major PDC title.
The Dutchman, 30, has also beaten Wright in all seven major PDC finals they have contested.
World number seven Wright finally looked like beating Van Gerwen when he moved one leg away from the title, but his power scoring and clinical finishing that had been a feature throughout the weekend deserted him.
A superb start to the final saw Wright checkout on 156 in leg two, only for Van Gerwen to respond with a 154 finish of his own in the next leg.
Both players were averaging more than 108 by the eighth leg, and while the averages fell as the game went on and the tension rose, it still proved to be a classic final.
“I’m really glad I won this one, it was on my bucket list,” Van Gerwen told BBC Sport.
“Peter is a phenomenal player, in the Premier League he missed match darts against me, he missed match darts again here, we’re going to have many more finals.
“But there can only be one winner and I’m glad it’s me.”
More to follow.
Results
Final
- Michael van Gerwen 11-10 Peter Wright
Semi-finals
- Michael Smith 5-11 Peter Wright
- Michael van Gerwen 11-10 Gerwyn Price
Sunday afternoon session results
- Rob Cross 8-10 Peter Wright (B)
- Daryl Gurney 6-10 Gerwyn Price (B)
- Michael van Gerwen 10-4 Gary Anderson (A)
- Michael Smith 10-8 James Wade (A)