World No 1 Michael van Gerwen secured the World Grand Prix13/10/2014 Direct from SkyNews
World No 1 Michael van Gerwen secured the World Grand Prix title after beating James Wade 5-3 in a thrilling final in Dublin.
Wade was bidding to land the title for the third time, having previously triumphed in 2007 and 2010, but it was reigning world champion van Gerwen who proved too strong on the night.
Van Gerwen beat Wade in a thrilling final
Van Gerwen told Sky Sports 1 HD: "This was an amazing tournament. The performance of everyone was so high. That I could win at this level is fantastic. James deserved more than this because he had a tough week, so I have to say well done to him. There can only be one winner and I'm so glad that's me."
Wade, who hit a nine-dart finish in the second round and knocked out Phil Taylor in the last eight, won the opening set in the race to five after his opponent had failed to take out 12 allowing Wade to nip in and land tops.
Despite taking 11 darts to get started in the fourth leg of the second set, 2012 champion van Gerwen held his throw thanks to an impressive 13-dart leg in the next to level up the final.
The 31-year-old Aldershot thrower punished van Gerwen with a wonderful 117 finish in the fourth leg of the third set to the delight of a packed crowd inside the Citywest Hotel.
See-saw battle
In a see-saw battle, van Gerwen was the sharper on the oche in the fourth set and squeezed in a third dart at double eight to make it 2-2.
"This was an amazing tournament. The performance of everyone was so high."
Michael van Gerwen
The Dutchman then broke Wade's throw to move ahead for the first time in the match in the third leg of the fifth set, but Wade, who became the youngest player to win a major PDC title after landing the World Matchplay trophy seven years ago, immediately hit back.
In a crucial final leg of the fifth, 'The Machine' missed three darts at his favourite double 10 and Van Gerwen seized his opportunity with an immaculate 110 checkout to break the throw and move 3-2 ahead.
Finishes of 141, 61 and 96 helped Wade restore parity and he cranked up the pressure by leaping into a 2-0 lead, but back came Van Gerwen to win the next three legs in a row and move to within a set of claiming the title.
Wade was suffering from some Tungsten tiredness and 'Mighty Mike' sensed his opportunity, racing through the final set to secure his second Dublin crown.
Wade said: "Michael is good at what he is doing at the moment. He's the man to beat and unfortuantely I didn't beat him. I missed too many important doubles.
"I'm a lucky boy at last and I'm back to where I belong. I'm playing good darts again."
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