A DUO ON THE EURO - Gerwyn Price Defends IDO Title
Gerwyn Price successfully defended the International Darts Open title after beating Michael van Gerwen 8-4 in the Final at the SACHsENArena, Riesa. The Iceman makes it back-to-back wins on the Euro Tour, having also won the European Darts Open in Leverkusen 7 days ago.
The Welshman included 100 plus averages in 4 out of his 5 matches, finishing with a 105.64 score in the Final against Premier League leader Van Gerwen. Price has successfully hit an average of over 100 in 10 out of his 12 matches on the Euro Tour, showcasing the evidence of a fantastic start to the year having also picked up 3 Premier League wins.
Price kick started his defence against Ross Smith in the Last 32, with Smith coming into the match on the back of a 6-3 win over Paavo Myller in Round 1. Gezzy averaged 104.24 and included a 60% checkout rate in beating the European Championship winner 6-3 in Saturday’s evening session.
Price was given a tough encounter in the Third Round by Belgian international Mike de Decker, with the Real Deal moving into a 3-2 lead after breaking throw with a 103 checkout. However, the Welshman had other ideas as he produced his highest average off 106.69 to clinch a 6-5 last leg decider, finishing with a 94 finish in 2 darts.
The 38-year-old faced Rob Cross in the Quarter Finals, with Voltage coming into the tie on the back of a 6-3 win over Josh Rock in the Last 16. The 2021 World Champion hit his highest checkout of 126 to break the throw in the fourth leg, moving into a 3-1 lead at the SASCHENArena.
The Iceman clinched a 6-4 victory, breaking the Englishman’s throw for the second time in the tenth and final leg of the match, to sail through to the Semi Finals against Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Price beat the Dutchman in a last leg decider to clinch the European Darts Open last Sunday, and repeated the trick at the International Darts Open with a 7-2 victory. Price averaged 106.66, breaking the Aubergenius’ throw 3 times in the Semi Final as he moved within 1 game of defending his crown.
The World No 4 started the Final against Michael van Gerwen with a roof raising 134 checkout, hitting 2 double tops to start the match with a break of throw. Gezzy clinched an 8-4 victory after hitting 56 in 2 darts, to win his 4th International Darts Open and a 2nd Euro Tour title of 2023.
Peter Wright returned to winning ways in Riesa, including a 145 finish to wrap up a 6-3 victory over Jose Justicia in the Second Round. Snakebite defeated fellow Scotsman Alan Soutar 6-4 in the Last 16, before falling to defeat against eventual Runner Up Van Gerwen in the Quarters.
Jonny Clayton also reached the Quarter Finals after winning his first Premier League night in Berlin, showcasing a 161 checkout in beating Dave Chisnall 6-2. The Ferret averaged 104.28 with a finishing rate of 60% in the Third Round but fell just short in the Last 8, against hometown favourite Martin Schindler.
Gerwyn Price will return in the Premier League on Thursday night as the darting roadshow heads to Birmingham for Night 10. The Iceman will face Dimitri van den Bergh whilst league leader Michael van Gerwen takes on Masters Champion Chris Dobey.
By Harry Masterson
International Darts Open 2023 Results:
Last 16:
Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Jose de Sousa
Peter Wright 6-4 Alan Soutar
Jonny Clayton 6-2 Dave Chisnall
Martin Schindler 6-3 Nathan Aspinall
Damon Heta 6-3 Nico Springer
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 Danny Noppert
Rob Cross 6-3 Josh Rock
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Mike de Decker
Quarter Finals:
Michael van Gerwen 6-0 Peter Wright
Martin Schindler 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-4 Damon Heta
Gerwyn Price 6-4 Rob Cross
Semi Finals:
Michael van Gerwen 7-4 Martin Schindler
Gerwyn Price 7-2 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Final:
Gerwyn Price 8-4 Michael van Gerwen