Michael van Gerwen has branded comments from his World Darts Championship semi-final opponent Chris Dobey as “nonsense”.
Dobbie said it would be “a bit easier” to play Van Gerwen in the last four than Callan Ridge, who hails from the same North East town as him at Bedlington.
Van Gerwen beat Kalam Rydge in a high-quality game to set up a clash with Dobey and was asked about the Englishman’s comments made before Van Gerwen’s win.
“People, when they win, they talk a lot of nonsense,” Van Gerwen said.
“Dobbie is a very interesting player to play against because he can create something really good.
“So you always have to make sure you keep your own fire and everything because he’s a good player.
“So I’m not going to underestimate him because I’ve fought him. I know what he’s capable of, and as long as you know, then it’s good.”
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Michael van Gerwen says if he keeps believing “the king will come back” and insists he won’t underestimate semi-final opponent Chris Dobey.
Dobbie will be playing in the semi-finals for the first time in his career at Alexandra Palace after losing in the last eight in 2024 and 2023.
He tossed a 4-0 lead to Rob Cross in agony 12 months ago but staged a mini-comeback this year after losing the opening two sets to Gerwyn Price before roaring back to win 5-3.
“I believe I can go on and win, I just have to continue to perform as well as I can and hit my double,” Dobie said.
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Chris Dobbie missed five darts but finished with a double and a double to book himself a place in the semi-finals of the World Championship.
Van Gerwen. I believe the “king” will return
Van Gerwen will reach his ninth World Cup semi-final on Thursday and is aiming for a fourth world title, having not won since 2019.
The 35-year-old has not won a televised event in 2024, the first time since 2011 that he has not won in a calendar year.
When asked if he could become the “king of the chamber” again, he said: “That would be nice, people probably know the answer, but no, it’s hard.
“It’s an uphill battle, but I like to face battles, and as long as I continue to believe in my strength, the king will return.”
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Michael van Gerwen reveals his favorite Christmas movie and food he likes to eat over the holidays as he answers Christmas Quickfire style questions.
Van Gerwen took a bit of the spotlight in the tournament, giving all the attention to Luke Humphries and Luke Littler.
If Littler beats Nathan Aspinall, he will play Stephen Bunting in the other semi-final, so the 17-year-old could face Van Gerwen in Friday’s final.
Van Gerwen has been in the spotlight a bit in the tournament, with Luke Humphries and Luke Littler all the focus.
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