Michael van Gerwen is looking to reassert himself as the king of Alexandra Palace by lifting the Paddy Power World Darts Championship title for a fourth time tonight.
The world number three has shown he is more than capable of regaining the illustrious crown once again throughout this tournament, producing some superb displays to win through to the sport's showpiece event.
Van Gerwen is now just one game away from securing the title once again, but he will have to take on pre-tournament favourite Luke Littler for the Sid Waddell Trophy in a blockbuster clash on Friday night.
“It would mean a lot to me to win this title, but it is still a long way away,” stated Van Gerwen, priced at 2/1 for glory with title sponsor Paddy Power.
“It would be amazing. I don’t care whoever I play, because you need to make sure you keep battling your own battles.
“I always focus on my own game and that’s the key thing for me.”
The Dutchman is into his seventh final on the Alexandra Palace stage, as he looks to add to his victories in 2013/14, 2016/17 and 2018/19.
Van Gerwen opened his campaign with victory over James Hurrell in straight sets, averaging just shy of 95 to ensure he wasn’t one of the many seeds to exit in round two.
This set up a clash with two-time quarter-finalist Brendan Dolan, in which he averaged 97 to close out a 4-2 success against the veteran Northern Irishman.
Jeffrey De Graaf was his next assignment, and the Swedish number one provided a spirited mid-match comeback, forcing Van Gerwen to register his first ton-plus average of the tournament to secure another 4-2 win.
His opponents kept offering more, and he kept delivering, defying a 103 average from Callan Rydz to win an epic quarter-final, before sweeping aside Chris Dobey 6-1 in a dominant semi-final display.
Van Gerwen now boasts a tournament average just shy of 100, reaffirming his title credentials as he sets his sights on reclaiming the sport’s biggest prize.
“My experience could be really important,” admitted Van Gerwen, who is going into the final as an underdog with the bookmakers for the first time since his maiden final in 2012/13.
“With the bookmakers and with the fans I may be the underdog, but with those who know me, it may be a little bit different!
“I haven’t won anything yet though; I’ve only reached the final and the final means nothing!
“I want to win and that is the only thing that counts for me, winning.”
Van Gerwen is going into this year’s final without a major ranking title to his name over the last 12 months, an unprecedented statistic over the last decade.
“The moment people don’t believe in me is the moment I have to keep fighting and believing in my own ability, and that’s what I’m doing,” declared the 35-year-old, a winner of over 150 PDC titles.
“You have to make sure you are maintaining your own performance and keep digging to try and level up your game.
“Two years ago, Michael Smith had the game of his life, and I need to make sure I do the right things for myself without looking to anyone else and that is what you are going to see.”
Van Gerwen faces teenage sensation Littler in Friday’s final, in what promises to be an all-time classic at Alexandra Palace.
The 17-year-old produced an incredible display to dispatch Stephen Bunting 6-1 in their semi-final clash, averaging 105 and firing in 13 maximums along the way.
The reigning Premier League and Grand Slam champion has now produced nine ton-plus averages in just 12 matches at the World Championship, as he sets his sights on more history in the capital.
However, Van Gerwen is undeterred by the prospect of taking on the all-conquering Littler.
“It will be a great final of course for everyone to see,” insisted the Dutch superstar.
“Luke Littler is a great player and what he’s done for the sport is great, so fair play to him. Who would underestimate that?
“I don’t really look at stats because I don’t care, it’s about what you’re doing now, and whatever is in your path you have to face it, beat it and go from there.
“I only have one target and that’s to try and win it.”
The tournament is being broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
2024/25 Paddy Power World Darts Championship
Friday January 3
Final (1930 GMT)
Luke Littler v Michael van Gerwen
Best of 13 sets