Anderson beats Van Gerwen to reach quarter-finals

Gary Anderson of Scotland defeated Michael van Gerwen of Scotland to advance to the PDC World Championship quarter-finals.

The pair’s fourth-round tie was highly anticipated, and both players averaged more than 99 overall, making them a part of the sport’s elite for more than a decade.

The first two sets were won by Anderson, who won the second-place medal at this year’s event against 36-year-old Dutchman Van Gerwen, who is a three-time former champion and third seed.

In the afternoon session, he will next face well-known English debutant Justin Hood, who won the match-winner to beat 11th seed Josh Rock 44-0.

Meanwhile, Dutch 10th seed Gian van Veen and world number two Luke Humphries defeated by a score of 4-1 to reach the blockbuster quarter-final on Thursday.

Dutchman Kevin Doets, who was unseeded, averaged more than 111 points in the first set against England’s Humphries, but was unable to keep up his top-notch start.

With a 103.07 overall average, the 2024 champion cruised to a comfortable victory over the next 14 legs.

Humphries told Sky Sports, “I’ve felt like I’ve played well, but I’m also feeling like there’s a higher level in me,” which is crucial. You must have another level in you if you want to win this tournament, as that won’t give you the World Championship.

Gian plays with class. He’s improved significantly, he’s improved his game, and he’s now a top player.

I’ll give him a tough game if I can bring what I did tonight, but with a little more. He’ll undoubtedly play a tough game for me. I’m anticipating it because this is what darts is all about.

When trying to win the match against Rock, a World Cup winner from Northern Ireland, Hood missed his first doubles attempt when attempting to take down 143.

He missed his first of four match darts in that leg, but he was pleased to the crowd who chanted his name the entire way through the subsequent match dart.

The Somerset 32-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live, “I’ve never experienced anything in terms of atmosphere like it.”

It’s amazing to have people chant your name that way and be on your side. May it continue for good.

Rock couldn’t help but smile in disbelief as Hood continued to land twice as well at the back of the stage.

With his World Championship winnings, which are currently estimated at £100,000, Hood has previously stated that he wants to start a Chinese restaurant.

Jonny Clayton, the Welsh fifth seed, defeated Andreas Harrysson earlier to set up a last-eight tie with Ryan Searle, the country’s fifth seed.

In the fifth set, Harrysson missed opportunities to take a 3-2 lead, while the final six sets were played in the final set.

With a 4-2 victory, Clayton will now be automatically in fourth place in the PDC world rankings and can automatically advance to the next level of Premier League if he maintains that position at the conclusion of the competition.

Luke Woodhouse, the 25th seed, was defeated by Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski by the same score to advance to the quarter-finals against defending champion Luke Littler.