European Darts Grand Prix - Report Final

Peter Wright wins in Sindelfingen
PETER WRIGHT produced a simply breath-taking display to whitewash Michael van Gerwen and win the HappyBet European Darts Grand Prix at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen.

In a re-run of the 2016 Final, Wright proved too hot to handle as averaged just under 105 and landed 75% of his doubles on his way to a third European Tour title in just four events this year.
A brilliant 11-dart leg kicked things off for Wright, as he broke the Dutchman's throw to gain a crucial early advantage. The Scot then capitalised on the first Van Gerwen mistake as he went inside on D16, allowing Wright to land 52 for 2-0. And despite landing two maximums in the third leg, Van Gerwen's trouble on 16's continued as he missed twice more. Nevertheless, he wasn't expecting what came next - a truly incredible 161 checkout from Wright to break once more and raise the roof of the 3,000 seater arena. That hurt Van Gerwen, and Wright quickly moved 4-0 ahead before seizing on another missed dart to break for a third time and step into a 5-0 lead. And the world number three landed a beautiful 170 to set up a 31 checkout to scoop the 25,000 pound prize fund.

"You have got to be lucky sometimes," joked Wright. "It has taken a long time to learn how to save your best game to last, as Michael has done in the past. Luckily I am now able to do that. "Beating Michael is always special. He wasn't up to his normal game and missed a few doubles but I punished him. I want to be the World No.1 and that is what you have to do - punish mistakes."

Wright had played stunning darts throughout the tournament, and started day three by brushing aside Daryl Gurney 6-4. In the quarter-finals he faced Jan Dekker, who was enjoying one of his finest runs on the European Tour and had displayed expert finishing throughout - but Wright's scoring power was too strong in a 6-2 victory. Standing in his way of a Final was Jelle Klaasen, with the Dutchman having reached the final four in every European Tour event so far this year. Again Wright was clinical on his doubles, and raced into a 4-1 lead with two early breaks. The Dutchman was struggling there on as Wright breezed into the final, making it now nine games in a row that he has beaten Klaasen.

Van Gerwen's route to the final started with a comfortable 6-2 third round victory over Finnish debutant Ulf Ceder, before beating compatriot Benito van de Pas 6-1 in the quarter-finals. In a breath-taking Semi-Final, the Dutchman was staring defeat in the face against the in-form Dave Chisnall. After Van Gerwen stretched to a 4-2 lead with a beautiful 146 checkout, Chisnall found his groove and clinched three-legs in a row to turn the tie in his favour at 5-4. But as the World Number One regularly does, he dug deep in the deciding leg to capitalise on some slack darts from Chisnall to break and reach a 20th European Tour final.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Chisnall, who had seen off Adrian Lewis in the third round before blowing away Rob Cross and missing D12 for a nine-darter in the quarter-finals.
The checkout of the tournament come in the quarter-final stage as Klaasen showed nerves of steel against Joe Cullen. With Cullen leading 4-3 and missing D16 for a two-leg advantage, Klaasen landed a stunning 170 checkout sucker-punch to break throw and level the game, before taking victory in a decider.






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