Group D
Michael van Gerwen got his campaign off to a good
start with a 5-3 victory over his close friend and
travelling partner Vincent van der Voort. The pair
both struggled somewhat, more than likely due to
their close friendship, but it was van Gerwen who
came away with the win to move into second place
in the group.
Kim Huybrechts got his campaign back on track with
a 5-0 whitewash victory over Vincent van der Voort,
eliminating the rapid Dutchman in the process.
Huybrechts was now facing the prospect of playing
brother Ronny in the last 16, but only if he could
first get the result he needed when he faced Dean
Winstanley.
Winstanley’s campaign suffered a setback as he
fell victim to a resurgent Michael van Gerwen, the
Dutchman claimed a 5-1 victory to all but ensure
that he would reach the last 16.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
Dean Winstanley produced one of the biggest shock
results of the opening group games, the Yorkshirebased thrower had been out of form since reaching
the semi-finals of the Grand Slam twelve months
ago, but a return to Wolverhampton produced a
return in form as he defeated Kim Huybrechts 5-2 to
move top of the group.
With the pressure off in his final group game Vincent
van der Voort was able to defeat Dean Winstanley
5-3 thanks to a much improved display.
This left Kim Huybrechts needing only one leg from
his final group game with Michael van Gerwen to
qualify for the last sixteen. The Belgian managed
this with ease, in the event racing into a 4-1 lead
before van Gerwen came back well to secure a 5-4
victory.
“I was very down after I lost my first group match
with Dean Winstanley, but I picked myself up and I’m
delighted to get through,” said Kim.
Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig
“I wasn’t thinking about whether I would play Ronny
when I was up on stage against Michael, I was just
focusing on getting the one leg I needed to qualify,
and after that I relaxed and played some good darts.”
“Now I’ve got my worst possible opponent! I love my
brother to bits and he’s my best friend, and I’d do
anything for him - but when we get up on stage he
will be my biggest enemy!”
“One of us will be in the quarter-finals, so it will be
a proud night for the Huybrechts family.”
Group D Results
Michael van Gerwen 5-3 Vincent van der Voort
Dean Winstanley 5-2 Kim Huybrechts
Kim Huybrechts 5-0 Vincent van der Voort
Michael van Gerwen 5-1 Dean Winstanley
Vincent van der Voort 5-3 Dean Winstanley
Michael van Gerwen 5-4 Kim Huybrechts
P
Michael van Gerwen
Kim Huybrechts
Dean Winstanley
Vincent van der Voort
W
L
+/- Pts
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
0
2
2
2
+7
+1
-3
-5
6
2
2
2