Gary Anderson shows true colours after losing to rival who feared he 'would get battered'
Former world champion Gary Anderson was dumped out of the World Grand Prix after an inspired display from Mike De Decker in Leicester.
Gary Anderson showed his class after being sent packing at the World Grand Prix. Victor Mike De Decker feared he would get “battered” by the two-time world champion, who defeated second seed Michael Smith at the start of the tournament.
But it was the brilliant Belgian who dished out the punishment, romping to a 3-0 victory at the double-start tournament in Leicester to set up a quarter-final against James Wade. It was a landmark victory for the 28-year-old, who has climbed to 36 in the PDC Order of Merit.
Recognising a brilliant display, Anderson immediately broke into applause after De Decker hit the match-clinching double before the pair shared a warm embrace, underlining the respect the Flying Scotsman still has for the game. Despite seeing off Damon Heta in round one De Decker hadn’t been confident going into the last-16 tie.
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Speaking after the win, he said laughing: “Honestly, I thought he was going to batter me. I was here four hours up front [before the match]. In the first two or three hours I wasn’t hitting a thing. I was thinking, ‘it can only go better from here’. I’m happy it did on stage.”
Alluding to his occasional struggles on stage, he said: “I’ve always had a problem playing on stage, but this week it seems to be clicking. I did the right things at the right moments. The 120 finish in the second set was massive. I think that decided the game.”
On facing a rejuvenated Wade, he added: “I just want to play well now. I’m not going to look too far ahead, and hopefully I can perform like I did tonight.”
"Mike De Decker has broken new ground" ??????
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) October 10, 2024
He reaches his first major TV quarter-final after defeating Gary Anderson 3-0 ?????? pic.twitter.com/TmKVIusuXW
Wade was also a 3-0 victor as he despatched fellow former Grand Prix champion Gerwyn Price. The Machine said: “I don’t enjoy playing against Gezzy. It’s tough playing against such a good friend. He’s one of the nicest people in darts, alongside Jonny Clayton.
“I was good enough [to get the win] tonight. There were enough opportunities given to me and I took them, so I’m really happy to be back in the quarter-finals."
Friday’s other quarter-finals will see Rob Cross face Ryan Joyce, Joe Cullen versus Dimitri Van den Bergh and world number one and defending champion Luke Humphries against Clayton.
