Michael van Gerwen explains why he was practically shocked by Mitsuhiko Tatsunami: ‘I wasn’t myself’

Michael van Gerwen says there’s “nothing wrong with my eyes” after Peter Wright claimed the Dutchman’s “vision is probably going”.

Van Gerwen averted a significant upset in his first-round match on the World Darts Championship on Thursday in opposition to Japan’s Mitsuhiko Tatsunami to proceed his 14-year streak of not dropping his opening match at Alexandra Palace.

However, Peter Wright, who may play Van Gerwen within the third spherical, revealed earlier this week he thinks three-time world champion’s eyesight might be getting worse.

“I think their [younger players’] eyesight is better than ours. I think that’s about it,” mentioned Wright.

“Obviously Gary [Anderson] is on the glasses or contacts. I don’t know if Michael’s wearing contacts at the moment, but I think MVG’s vision is probably going – but he won’t admit it at the moment.”

When instructed about Wright’s feedback, Van Gerwen mentioned: “There’s nothing wrong with my eyes. Don’t worry. I keep getting compliments.”

Van Gerwen will play Eire’s William O’Connor or Poland’s Krzysztof Kciuk within the subsequent spherical, whereas Wright will face German qualifier Arno Merk.

Ought to the previous world champions come by way of these matches, they may meet in a mouth-watering third spherical conflict after Christmas.

“Years ago, I used to play Michael van Gerwen at his peak, he was like the GOAT. It was a privilege to play him in so many finals,” mentioned Wright.

“I’d bring an extra gear or two because you’ll need it against Michael. I want to play him. He’s got to win, I’ve got to win. I’d love that for the TV crowd. I want to beat him.”

Wright has beforehand known as Van Gerwen “a big baby” however ‘Mighty Mike’ says nobody will “get in his head”.

He half-jokingly mentioned: “I hope he has a big mouth like he had in the last two weeks because I keep smashing him in exhibitions.

“He made so many feedback during the last so a few years. To talk the title of Peter Wright is a waste of my breath.”

Van Gerwen: I used to be not relaxed at begin of first spherical

Van Gerwen overcame a significant scare to succeed in the second spherical as debutant Tatsunami gained the primary set and held a 2-0 lead in legs throughout the second set.

The 36-year-old admits he was “crazy in my own head” and must be extra calm for the remainder of the match.

“In the beginning of the game, I wasn’t really myself. I was too pumped up. I was not with my head there where I should be, and then you’re going to make yourself really difficult,” mentioned Van Gerwen.

“I think it was a battle in this match against myself, and that’s never a good sign, but that’s unfortunately how I was.

“Then you want to attempt to keep calm and attempt to discover your personal rhythm and your personal tempo to make them actually troublesome. I give 100 per cent. Everybody is aware of that.”

Van Gerwen also says “there’s quite a lot of room for enchancment” after averaging only 90.82 and had 29 per cent doubles success.

“It wasn’t the best performance but at least I won. The most important thing in the first round of the World Championship is to survive, win and try to play as good as possible. I didn’t really do that but a win is a win,” he added.

“I tried to keep battling, keep performing. I knew if I stepped up a little bit, I can make it really difficult, but I made it myself too difficult.

“Video games like this are powerful generally. What can I say? It was c**p. I can do quite a bit higher. I do know that, however it’s what it’s.”

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