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Michael Van Gerwen Vs James Wade Live Stream And World Grand Prix Darts Final Preview

Michael van Gerwen vs. James Wade takes place tonight in the final of the World Grand Prix Darts.
 In the UK, the action airs live on Sky Sports 1/Sky Sports 1 HD and online (see here), while outside of the UK, the World Grand Prix is streaming live online with 365 from 19:00 BST.

Preview:

Wade progressed to his third World Grand Prix final with a stunning comeback to defeat Gary Anderson 4-3 on Saturday night, and will take on Van Gerwen in this evening’s final after the Dutchman’s straight sets triumph over Stephen Bunting.

Wade, the 2007 and 2010 World Grand Prix champion, continued his memorable week at the Citywest Hotel by following up his second round nine-dart finish and a quarter-final defeat of Phil Taylor with a resilient fightback from 3-1 down in sets.

Anderson won the opening six legs of the game without reply to storm into a two-set lead, and missed his chance to win the third as Wade followed up finishes of 101 and 104 by taking the set on double ten.

Scottish star Anderson, though, finished 107 and a 13-darter as he edged the fourth for a 3-1 lead, only to see Wade hit back in amazing fashion.

The left-hander took set five without reply, landing a 121 finish on the bull for the third leg, and then levelled the game by taking set six 3-1.

Wade then moved ahead for the first time at 1-0 and 2-1 in the deciding set, only for Anderson to land finishes of 81 on the bull and 141 – after hitting a 13th maximum – to send the game into a sudden-death leg, which Wade took on double ten.

“Gary blew me completely out of the water in the first two sets,” admitted Wade.

“At 2-0 down I was preparing myself for a losers’ speech, and I thought I was beaten.

“I held on for dear life and to win the third set was massive for me because when Gary’s playing well, only Adrian Lewis can live with him, but I’m quite fortunate that he eased up and allowed me back into the game.

 

Wade is bidding to win his first major TV title since 2011 when he competes in Sunday’s final, and he added: “I’ve been there and done it before, and I’ll look forward to the final now.

“I’m looking forward to what darts can bring me now and it’s starting to be enjoyable again. If it’s enjoyable it takes 20 percent of the pressure off.”

2012 World Grand Prix champion Van Gerwen, meanwhile, remains on course for his second triumph in the double-start format after cruising past Lakeside Champion Stephen Bunting in their last four contest.

The pair traded early ton-plus checkouts before van Gerwen came from 2-1 down to edge the opening set 3-2, and the second set also went to the Dutchman despite a 128 finish from Bunting.

Van Gerwen then sealed the third set without reply with a 160 checkout and took his run of successive winning legs to seven as he moved 2-0 up in set four.

Bunting hit back by landing double eight and double four – for a 65 finish – to level the set, but van Gerwen posted his fifth maximum of the game to pull clear in the set’s deciding leg before finishing 62 for a 14-darter to seal his spot in the final.

“A 4-0 victory is fantastic and I could only dream about that before the game,” said van Gerwen.

“I played really well, especially in the first three sets, and I’m really happy with my performance.

“If you’re a professional you need to do well at the right moments, and I showed that tonight in the deciding leg of the first two sets. My doubles were really good and that’s something I can build on in the final.

“It’s amazing to be in the final again and I know how to win this event, but there’s still a long way to go. James was fantastic tonight and it’s going to be a tough game, but that’s something to worry about tomorrow.

“I’ve got a good record against James but that won’t mean anything – all I want is to lift the trophy, and that’s the only thing I am looking at, so I need to prepare myself well for the final.”

 

Harry James' love for sports began in his high school basketball days. Sadly, an injury meant he couldn't further his NBA dreams, but the hooper's loss is our gain as he then found journalism.

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