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Michael van Gerwen was disappointed with how exciting Kalan Ryders were in their epic quarter-final run.
Rydz has been on fire for an average of any player in the tournament In the PDC World Championshipand he was looking to cause an upset and take out the former three-time world champion.
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Van Gerwen has produced some vintage performances over the years, but he’s looking to be at his best in the tough year of 2024.
But he rolled back the years, averaging a sensational 103.10 as he beat “The Riot” in a modern-era classic, with Rydz matching every step of the way in a 5-3 victory.
Rydz himself averaged more than Van Gerwen at 103.88 and threw 17 of the mammoth 31 180s in a stunning display of tungsten magic.
After winning, he said on stage: He gave me everything.
He kept throwing 180s and I was getting really annoyed at one point. I was very happy with my performance, very happy.
The Dutch legend then added in an interview with talkSPORT: “Yes, the way he played was great.
He never gave up and the way he pushed me deserves a lot of credit.
He showed that he is the player of the tournament, he had the best average ever and the way he played was excellent.
“Yeah, I think he stuck the tops on, he put me under a lot of pressure.
“I could have been in a much easier position, but he was fantastic and now I have to move on.”
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Van Gerwen took the opening set on a deciding leg as she looked to drop an early marker, and pinned deuce-up at the second turn of asking.
Both players had gotten into a groove early on, but it was the Rebellion who took complete control of the second set.
He averaged a mammoth 109.98 to tie the match and van Gerwen missed doubles opportunities as the Raiders took all three legs to tie the game at 1-1.
The Englishman had done 180s for five minutes by the time the match reached the third set, with more than enough ‘rebellion’ to keep up with the ‘Green Machine’.
But Van Gerwen showed his class and stole the third set with a two-dart 64 to take the lead.
Rydz fired straight and managed to pull back another set while playing the chaser match.
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The pair’s averages remained very high, and despite Rydes averaging over 100, he couldn’t get ahead of Van Gerwen.
The Dutchman got the crowd into the game by hitting seven excellent darts before missing treble 19.
But he made it 3-2 with more opportunism and the Raiders would have to come from behind again.
Van Gerwen looked in a groove and took the sixth set to take the all-important lead of the match, with the Rydes needing a huge turnaround to win the match.
Rydz wasn’t out of the woods yet and continued his breathtaking display with two tops to steal a back set and keep things honest at 4-3.
But in the end it wasn’t enough as the “Green Machine” saw off a 5-3 victory and will now face Chris Dubey in the semi-finals.
adjust talkSPORT 2 For coverage of the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, as we bring you exclusive live commentary from Alexandra Palace. Listen through us Web playerapp, on DAB or through your smart speaker.
