DUBAI // A new name will be inscribed on the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters trophy for the first time since the tournament started in 2013, after Gary Anderson ended Michael Van Gerwen’s winning streak in last night’s final in Garhoud.
The world champion claimed seven legs out of eight to charge from 8-4 down to win 11-9 against the world No 1, who had previously seemed invincible in Dubai, in racking up a hat-trick of titles.
“I had 20 minutes to get ready, Michael had had a rest for an hour or so, but I could see him tiring and I just kept plugging away,” Anderson said.
“It was a scrappy last leg, but in the end I pinched it.”
In two years of appearing at this event, Anderson has been fond of saying, “being a Scotsman in Dubai” he is ill-suited to early UAE summer.
At times he has seemed just as out of place in the Dubai Tennis Stadium as the cohort of Roman soldiers, construction workers and Mexicans who were front and centre in the audience on Centre Court.
He acclimatised at just the right time, though, as he closed out a thrilling finish in the final.
“I’ve never been so hot in my life,” Anderson said. “I’ve even got a tan. This is my second time here. It is a fantastic city. What a place.”
Van Gerwen was as shocked as anyone by the way he imploded with a fourth successive Dallah trophy within his grasp.
“I’m gutted, really disappointed with myself,” said Van Gerwen, who had earlier beaten Dave Chisnall in the opening match of finals night.
“Gary put me under pressure at the right time. All credit to Gary, but I can only blame myself. I’m sick about it, and winners should always feel like that after defeats.”
Phil Taylor’s search for one of the few trinkets he has not won in darts goes on, as he was beaten by Anderson in the second semifinal.
The 16-time world champion said on the eve of this competition he feels he is struggling to return to the heights of his pomp on account of the increased travel the series now takes in.
Following this trip to the UAE, Taylor will journey to Spain, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan in the coming weeks.
Despite the workload, though, he says he is already planning a return to Dubai next year for a shot at the Masters title.
“If I’m invited, I’ll be back,” Taylor said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I love it here. It is the hardest stage we play on, without a shadow of a doubt, as it is outside and red hot.
“But if you can play here, you can play anywhere. When you are throwing for a double, when it really matters, and the wind hits you, there is nothing you can do.
“There was one, when I was going for double 18, when I went to hook it across, and the wind blew it back in. I thought it was going to hit the MC, but it went in.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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