Wayne Mardle expects huge issues from Mike De Decker after he claimed the World Grand Prix title, declaring the Belgian “has bottle, composure and he’s got the game!”
De Decker produced the efficiency of his life to assert glory on Sunday evening, defeating Luke Humphries 6-4 in units at Leicester’s Mattioli Area.
The 28-year-old from Mechelen, Belgium had received by to his maiden televised ultimate with a sequence of excellent shows within the double-start event and scooped the £120,000 high prize following an exciting ultimate.
Reigning champion Humphries was left reeling as De Decker got here from a set down to steer 4-1 with a superb and nerveless burst.
The world No 1 hit again with three straight units to stage, however De Decker took set 9 earlier than closing out victory within the deciding leg of set 10.
De Decker’s success makes him solely the second Belgian – alongside Dimitri Van den Bergh – to style victory in a televised PDC occasion, and catapults him from thirty sixth to twenty fifth on the PDC Order of Benefit.
The 200/1 pre-tournament outsider saved a match dart to defeat Damon Heta earlier than thumping Gary Anderson and James Wade after which upsetting compatriot Van den Bergh to achieve the ultimate.
Mardle felt the shock win in opposition to favorite Anderson modified his mindset.
Mardle informed Sky Sports activities: “The Gary Anderson game proved something to himself because he actually said ‘I thought Gary was going to beat me’. He absolutely railroaded him. He was better than Gary and he was better than Luke Humphries in a game that went to 45 legs of darts.
“He is acquired the bottle, he is acquired the composure, he is acquired the sport!
“If you’re good enough then experience doesn’t matter. He had no experience in quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals but he was good enough.
“I am so happy for him. It is one other new winner and there are gamers on the tour considering ‘Mike De Decker has received a significant. I possibly beat him final week, why cannot I win a significant? Properly, you have to do it when it counts and that is when it counts.
“Astonishing from someone who came into this as an outsider but someone who has won on tour. There’s 28 winners on tour in this event out of 32. They’re all world-class. What a great story for darts as well.”
Roll of Honour
What dwell darts is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?
Dwell darts returns to Sky Sports activities with the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton as Luke Humphries seems to defend his title from from November 9-17.
Consideration then turns to the flip of the 12 months and the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, starting on December 15, because the darts calendar continues to offer pleasure all year long – and you’ll take pleasure in the perfect right here dwell on Sky Sports activities.
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