Michael van Gerwen secured a spot in the semi-finals of the PDC World Darts Championship with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Callan Rydz, in what was an exhilarating quarter-final encounter. While the match’s final scoreline might seem straightforward, the contest itself was anything but. Rydz, who had been one of the standout performers of the tournament, gave the Dutchman an intense challenge, outdoing him in several key areas.
Rydz won 18 legs to Van Gerwen’s 17 and had a higher average of 104 compared to Van Gerwen’s 103. He also edged the checkouts, hitting 46% to Van Gerwen’s 45%, and produced 17 180s, almost one every other leg. Despite this impressive display, Rydz was unable to capitalize on his momentum, with Van Gerwen’s experience and resilience proving crucial. The Geordie player kept the match close, leveling at 1-1, 2-2, and then pulling one back at 4-3, when many expected Van Gerwen to pull away.
Rydz, often criticized for lacking consistency, showed his mettle throughout the match, particularly in his ability to respond under pressure. His performance was a far cry from his previous showings in big matches, silencing any doubts about his mental strength. Van Gerwen, however, demonstrated why he remains one of the best in the game, handling the pressure and finding his extra gear when needed.
The turning point came in the fifth set, when Rydz missed a crucial double top for a 3-2 lead. Van Gerwen capitalized with a precise double one to win the set, followed by a dominant sixth set that put him 4-2 up. At this point, it seemed like the match was all but decided, but Rydz wasn’t done yet. He claimed the seventh set with a superb 12-dart finish, and the eighth set went to a deciding leg. Rydz was in a strong position, leaving himself 96 after nine darts, and it seemed like the match might go all the way. But Van Gerwen responded with an incredible 12-dart leg of his own, sealing the win after Rydz missed two darts at double 18.
Looking ahead, Van Gerwen will face Chris Dobey in the semi-finals. Dobey had his own battle in the previous quarter-final against Gerwyn Price, coming from behind after Price had taken a 2-0 lead. Dobey showed resilience, surviving a missed match opportunity by Price at 4-2, and eventually took the match 5-4. He will need to raise his game further to challenge Van Gerwen, who has been in imperious form so far in the tournament.
In the other quarter-final, Stephen Bunting produced a clinical 5-2 win over Peter Wright. Wright, who had shown flashes of brilliance earlier in the tournament, was unable to replicate his previous performances, especially in the scoring department. Bunting’s consistent play ensured that he reached the semi-finals and moved into the world’s top five, almost guaranteeing his inclusion in next year’s Premier League.
