Michael van Gerwen has issued a withering verdict on one among his potential opponents following the draw for the World Darts Championship.
Fresh from dropping to man of the second Luke Humphries within the last of the Players Championship Finals on Sunday, MVG and his rivals’ focus has shortly switched to the Ally Pally extravaganza, which begins on December 15. The draw for the primary and second rounds was made on Monday, with Van Gerwen to face both Keane Barry or Czech participant Reynaldo Rivera in spherical two, when the 32 seeded gamers enter the event.
The three-time world champion totally expects Barry, 21, to return by means of that first spherical affair. And in sometimes bullish style, the Green Machine is assured he’ll see off the younger Irishman, who has struggled to take his spectacular type on the ground onto the large stage.
READ MORE: PDC World Darts Championship attract full as all 96 gamers uncover their Ally Pally destiny
READ MORE: Fallon Sherrock admits new inexperienced treble 20 mattress is ‘sending her eyes really weird’
“If you look on paper, it will probably be Keane Barry as the first opponent,” Van Gerwen informed Viaplay. “That’s a fast player that suits me. He is a guy who can never show his best game on television. I think that will be to my advantage.
“I am looking forward to it. It’s the biggest tournament of the year and of course you want to perform there.”
Darts followers weren’t impressed with Van Gerwen’s feedback. One wrote: “Bit harsh, he is only a kid.” As one other mentioned: “That’s the best possible motivation Keane could ask for.”
Who do you suppose will win the World Darts Championship? Tell us within the feedback part beneath
(Image: Kieran Cleeves/PDC)
Van Gerwen hit a nine-darter and raced right into a 9-5 lead in opposition to Humphries on the Players Championship Finals, just for Cool Hand to get well in gorgeous style, reeling off six straight legs to win 11-9.
It was Humphries’ third main title in lower than two months, which means, unusually, Van Gerwen won’t be the favorite heading into the Worlds. “I don’t know if I am the favourite, Luke Humphries is playing some really good darts, he has had some fantastic results,” mentioned MVG.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Get your final World Darts Championship 2024 preview right here
It’s essentially the most great time of the yr – and we have the right journal to get you within the Ally Pally spirit!
With this yr’s PDC World Darts Championship set to be one other thriller, Daily Star Sport have ready your final 48-page preview journal to get you prepared for all issues arrows.
From interviews with Grand Slam of Darts champion Luke Humphries and former world champions Gary Anderson and Rob Cross to in depth options on the PDC’s angriest moments and why they begin on 501 – we have you coated.
Order yours to purchase instantly proper right here!
“I am one of the favourites, everyone still wants to beat me, but there will be pressure on everybody. The worlds is a different kind of pressure.
“We are talking about the big tournament now. It is the biggest one so it adds extra pressure, you can’t compare the worlds to any other. It would mean the world to me.”