Michael van Gerwen: Dutch participant says ‘I do not care’ about Luke Littler and Luke Humphries but at World Darts Championship

Michael van Gerwen says he “does not care” about Luke Littler and Luke Humphries till he faces one of many two title favourites on the World Darts Championship.

Littler and Humphries have been predicted by many to satisfy within the last subsequent Saturday on January 3 however Van Gerwen is certainly one of a number of potential stars who might deny that prospect.

Nevertheless, Van Gerwen would solely face Humphries within the semi-finals and Littler within the last – some extent he was eager to clarify.

“I don’t care about Luke and Luke at this moment. I just need to concentrate myself on my own performance. I can’t meet them until the semi-finals and final anyway,” he stated.

First, Van Gerwen should overcome German debutant Arno Merk in his third-round match on Sunday evening, stay on Sky Sports activities, earlier than a possible fourth-round conflict in opposition to Gary Anderson.

The Dutchman says he “feels good” after a decided 3-1 win in opposition to William O’Connor within the final 64, the place he averaged over 100.

“The biggest plus for me is the format rises to first of four sets [in the third round]. I think he [Merk] did really well in his game against Peter Wright,” stated Van Gerwen.

“He was sharp, he was there when he had to be, so I need to make sure I concentrate on my own performance and I shouldn’t look to anyone else.”

Coming into the World Championship, Van Gerwen stated he was able to put his “worst year” behind him, having struggled on and off the oche.

He break up up together with his spouse Daphne in Might and took a small break from darts, constructing himself again as much as type, successful September’s World Collection of Darts Finals.

Van Gerwen stated: “My form now could be good enough to go all the way but I know I’m capable of doing more. In some games you can play a little bit more poor and in some games you need to do a little bit more.

“However I do know precisely when the time is there when it’s important to do extra. Generally it does not work like that however I am not silly, I have been there just a few instances earlier than.

“You always need to keep believing in your ability. I work really hard to make sure I keep producing some good darts and for the rest I don’t really care.”

Mardle: Do not rule out Van Gerwen

At the very least certainly one of Littler and Humphries have reached the ultimate in 15 of the final 16 ranked televised tournaments, stretching again to the top of 2023.

5-time World Championship semi-finalist and Sky Sports activities Darts’ Wayne Mardle expects some surprises although, with 17 of the 32 seeded gamers having been knocked out already.

“I don’t think it’s just down to Luke Humphries [to stop Luke Littler]. I think it would be really short-sighted of anyone and after watching what they’ve already watched in this Worlds to say ‘no, that can’t happen’,” he stated.

“We have seen Wesley Plaisier do a number on Gerwyn Price. We have seen in a way Gabriel Clemens do a number on Wessel Nijman.

“There are specific issues in life you simply can’t do, like play poorly and beat Gary Anderson. It’s a must to be world-class on the stage to beat Michael van Gerwen.

“If they do get beaten, it will take an amazing performance to beat them. Michael van Gerwen reaches finals here when he’s not at his best, so I wouldn’t rule it out.”

Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match completely stay till January 3 on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel (Sky channel 407). Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW.