| by Bram Coenen
Michael van Gerwen did not get further than the opening round on the ninth day of the Premier League Darts. The 33-year-old Dutchman lost 6-5 against Jonny Clayton.
Van Gerwen got off to a bad start and had to leave the first two legs to Clayton. With a 15-darter he then kept his own leg to make it 2-1. ‘Mighty Mike’ remained well below the 90 average, but still he kept on and at 4-4 everything was still possible.
The ninth leg was then a prey for Van Gerwen, who needed one more leg to win. However, Clayton would not give way and on his own leg he rebalanced the boards. So an eleventh leg had to bring the decision and it was Clayton who quickly built up a large lead with a 140 and 180 score. In the end he managed to grab the victory via double 7.
Price
Clayton will face Gerwyn Price in the semifinals. However, it was Peter Wright who got off to the best start and quickly took a 3-1 lead. Price then raised his level, was well above the hundred average and won the next four legs to take a 5-3 lead.
The 38-year-old Welshman, who is looking for a third consecutive win in the Premier League in Berlin, was allowed to start the ninth leg himself and eventually won 6-3 via double 3.
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