Michael van Gerwen holds off surprise package Callan Rydz to reach Ally Pally semi-final in World Darts Championship – as three-time champion sets up tie with Chris Dobey
- MvG won the title in 2014, 2017 and 2019, but has struggled in recent years
- However, despite Rydz’s best efforts, he is in a good position to compete this year
- The three-time champion will face Dobey in the last four on Thursday
Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen overcame the courage of this year’s 300-1 surprise package, Callan Rydz, to reach the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace.
Van Gerwen’s 5-3 win over Rydz means he will meet another hurler from the small Northumberland town of Bedlington in Chris Dobey, the Geordie who also won 5-3 against 2021 champion Gerwyn Price earlier in the day .
‘MvG’ triumphed at Ally Pally in 2014, 2017 and 2019, with the Dutchman, once tipped to threaten Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor’s tally of 16 world titles, having been given the crown too late.
He was pushed for the win by Rydz, who achieved 17 maximums to his opponent’s 14 and averaged 103.88 over his 103.10.
“He gave me everything, he didn’t stop,” Van Gerwen said. “It had drama, 180s, it was a good game. I am so happy with my own performance. I need to make sure I keep this form. He had a fantastic tournament, but I’m glad I was there to stop him.’
You would do well to find a sporting event that attracts as many casual fans as the World Darts Championship, which is usually where Ally Pally visitors enjoy themselves.
Michael van Gerwen reached the last four of the World Darts Championship on Wednesday
He overcame surprise package Callan Rydz, who achieved more maximums and a higher average
Mvg will face another man from Newcastle in the semi-finals on Thursday: Chris Dobey
Sky Sports likes to come into the main room to perform a few vox pops. Before Van Gerwen’s match, a guy at a 70s disco gig guessed he would win 4-3, not realizing it was the first to five sets. Another woman, dressed as Princess Fiona from Shrek, replied ‘what he said’ after her other half’s prediction of 5-4 against ‘MvG’.
It was indeed an exciting battle. After Van Gerwen took the opening set, Rydz rallied. The 26-year-old secured 12 darts in succession, including a 135 checkout with a bull finish, to level the match at 1-1 via a whitewash in the second set.
At 2-2, the Ally Pally stalwarts enjoyed themselves by singing their latest song to Rydz: ‘He’s got terrible hair, but we don’t care.’ Another gambler had ‘hair to the throne’ written on his 180 card.
But the ruthless Van Gerwen stormed ahead to a 4-2 lead. Rydz answered back with double double tops to cut the score to 4-3. But in the end, this epic went the way of MvG, who found his favorite double 16 and reached the semi-finals where he would face Dobey.