Three-time world darts champion Michael van Gerwen has sparked renewed tension with his rival Peter Wright. The two are set for a showdown at this year’s PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace, with a potential meeting in the third round if all goes as expected.
Wright secured his spot in the second round with a convincing 3-0 win over Noa-Lynn van Leuven and is scheduled to face Arno Merk next. On the other hand, Van Gerwen faced a tough challenge against Mitsuhiko Tatsunami but managed to come out victorious, setting up a match against the winner of the upcoming William O’Connor versus Krzysztof Kciuk clash.
In response to Wright’s earlier comments about his eyesight, Van Gerwen retaliated after defeating Tatsunami, calling out ‘Snakebite’ for his remarks and expressing confidence in his abilities. The Dutch player emphasized his strong performance in recent exhibitions and dismissed Wright’s criticisms.
Despite an initial setback where Tatsunami took the first set against him, Van Gerwen rallied to secure a 3-1 victory on Thursday. Reflecting on the match, Van Gerwen acknowledged the challenges he faced during the game and credited his opponent’s strong finishes.
Van Gerwen, who reached the final in the previous tournament but fell short to Luke Littler, has faced personal struggles off the stage in 2025. Following his separation from his wife earlier in the year, he emphasized the importance of prioritizing his children amidst the ongoing changes in his personal life.
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