Dimitri Van den Bergh delivered an electrifying performance at the Winmau World Masters, hitting a stunning nine-darter en route to knocking out the formidable Michael van Gerwen. The Belgian's breathtaking display captivated the fans at Arena MK, Milton Keynes, as he staged a remarkable comeback to secure his place in the quarter-finals with a nail-biting 4-3 victory.
On February 1, 2025, the high-stakes match unfolded dramatically. Van den Bergh found himself trailing 3-2 at one point, with his championship hopes hanging by a thread. Yet, with the crowd on the edge of their seats, he responded under pressure. The pivotal moment came early in the sixth set when Van den Bergh hit two back-to-back 180s, bringing him tantalizingly close to victory. With the score leveled at 141, he made the stunning checkout of T20, T15, and D18, sending the audience roaring with excitement.
Remarkably, the nine-darter, which is hailed as one of the hardest feats in darts, not only showcased Van den Bergh's exceptional skill but also marked only the third time he had completed this pinnacle of precision on live television. The Belgian, known as 'The Dreammaker,' remained eerily composed after the finish. While fans erupted around him, he raised his finger to the sky, collected his darts, and exchanged fist bumps with Van Gerwen, maintaining his trademark focus.
Commentators, awestruck by the incredible spectacle, couldn’t hide their admiration. Stuart Pyke noted, "He takes the plaudits. Van den Bergh dazzles - the crowd goes crazy. It's a nine-darter!" Such observations reflected the intensity and breathtaking nature of the night.
Despite the continued exuberance from spectators, Van den Bergh's demeanor was uncharacteristically reserved; he emphasized his priority was the match itself. After the final leg, he admitted to ITV4 about his relief, saying, "What can I say? I'm stoked. I was 3-2 down and I was saying to myself, ‘play your game.’ 180, 180, treble 20, treble 15, and double 18, and I was like, ‘yes, that's my leg!’”
This stunning performance reinvigorated Van den Bergh's belief after years of waiting for another victory over Van Gerwen, as this win marked his first against him in nearly seven years. Post-match, he reflected, "Everybody knows the stats between me and MVG. I felt there were many opportunities during the game. I think it was written in the sky for once MVG didn't have his night."
His victory came at the perfect moment, especially after Van Gerwen lost his way, busting his score, which inadvertently opened the door for Van den Bergh to capitalize on the situation. Having played consistently, Van den Bergh was finally able to seal his win and progress to face Nathan Aspinall, another rising star who secured his own quarter-final spot with a decisive 4-1 victory over Cameron Menzies earlier on the same evening.
Looking forward to the next round, Van den Bergh was driven by confidence from his previous win, stating, "I don’t know why, but it was strange. I was focused. I’ve seen so many people hit nine-darters, and they are amazing, but you need to win games. That’s where my focus was.”
With high expectations now placed upon him, Van den Bergh took the time to prepare for the next challenge and remarked, "I’ve got to finish the interview right here, tomorrow I’ve got another big day in the quarter-finals, I’m gonna get some food and go to bed." His enthusiasm was palpable as he expressed his hopes for the future, saying, "Happy days,” as fans echoed this sentiment, anticipating their beloved player’s next performances.
The upcoming quarter-final promises to be another thrilling encounter as Van den Bergh aims to maintain his momentum against the talented Aspinall, whose own impressive performance sets the stage for what could be another epic showdown. With van Gerwen vanquished, the stage is set for Van den Bergh to continue his pursuit of glory at the World Masters and possibly earn the title of champion.