Michael van Gerwen has his eyes on a fourth Darts World Championship after seeing off Dimitri Van den Bergh in Monday's semi-final 6-0. Van Gerwen secured an impressive victory after defeating Van den Bergh, who was left unhappy with the Dutchman following an altercation mid-match.
Belgian Van den Bergh was left fuming and shaking is head as Van Gerwen appeared to encroach as he was taking his throw. Addressing the incident, Sky Sports commentator Wayne Mardle said: "Dmitiri Van den Bergh is not happy. Michael van Gerwen has just got his left foot encroaching in the encroachment zone. "
Van Gerwen will now continue his hunt for a fourth world title when he takes on Englishman Michael Smith in Tuesday's final. All the hype was of course around tournament favourite van Gerwen as he chased down his fourth world title.
Van den Bergh however had other ideas, and stamped his authority on the game by checking out just the fifth 170 of the tournament to break throw in the opening set and move one leg away.
In typical Van Gerwen fashion though, the Dutch star fought back. Just one set later, the three-time world champion broke throw himself before holding onto his throw a leg later to ensure he took the opening set. Being the World Championship favourite no doubt comes with its pressures.
But in the early stages the 33-year-old did not seem fazed, as he capitalised on some lazy darts from his opponent to double his advantage and take an early 2-0 lead. The pressure of the event however seemingly came to fruition in set three, as tensions rose on the oche.
As a result Van den Bergh was left unimpressed with his opponent as the pair exchanged words after the Dutchman was seemingly encroaching on his rival's throwing area.
As is often the case, the drama led to MVG thriving, as he held throw in the opening leg before landing a stunning 170 checkout in the second, and held in the third to move 3-0 ahead.
Van Gerwen blew away Scottish star Chris Dobey in his quarter-final clash on Sunday, and the Dutchman was keen to do it once more at the expense of Van den Bergh. The Dutchman continued his hot form by storming to victory in set four and five, to move 5-0, and one away from a final spot.
The Dutchman was no doubt keen to secure his second whitewash in as many nights, as he headed out for set six. And he did exactly that, as he held no prisoners in in the final set to secure a quite remarkable 6-0 victory.
Following his victory, Van Gerwen was quizzed on his altercation with Van den Bergh during the third set. Claiming he 'didn't know' what his opponent's problem was, he told Sky Sports: "I don't really know what his problem was but you have to concentrate yourself and watch your own game.
"That is exactly what I did. Games can get tense and you need to focus yourself, and that is exactly what I did, he was losing the game so he had to say something."
The title will be decided when Van Gerwen takes on Smith in Tuesday's final at Ally Pally.
