Dubai Darts Masters 2016: Scores, Results, Updated Schedule After Friday
Gary Anderson won seven of the final eight legs to win the 2016 Dubai Darts Masters for the first time, notching an 11-9 victory over Michael van Gerwen on Friday.
Van Gerwen secured his place in the final with an impressive 11-7 victory over Dave Chisnall earlier in the afternoon, while Anderson beat Phil Taylor 11-7 in the day's later action after winning six of his final seven legs.
The unique open-air setting of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium made competition fierce, with a minor breeze affecting all players at separate occasions throughout the day's play.
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Here's a look at the results and the updated schedule:
| Michael van Gerwen | 11-7 | Dave Chisnall |
| Gary Anderson | 11-7 | Phil Taylor |
| Michael van Gerwen | 9-11 | Gary Anderson |
Evening Session
Three-time reigning champion Van Gerwen continued in assertive manner in the final of the Dubai Masters in the evening session, claiming the opening two legs off the back of his semi-final showing.
Dubai Masters told the tale of the tape with two strong performers on show:
His opponent Anderson was returning to the oche after just a 30-minute break, while the Dutchman enjoyed a longer reprieve following his earlier victory.
Van Gerwen stamped his authority in the penultimate leg before the break, racing out to a 3-1 lead, but Anderson replied with a super 11-dart finish to keep himself in the contest.
The sport's most in-form performer immediately hit back with a break and took the next to build a three-leg advantage at 5-2. Anderson responded with a 115 checkout before wiring the bull in the next leg to enable MVG to finish off a 68 and regain his convincing lead.
Anderson's 79, a 12-dart finish, saw the Champion of the World keep pace with the Premier League winner at 6-4, but he remained one break down.
Eight missed darts for double on 7-4 down appeared to seal Anderson's fate, as Van Gerwen build a considerable four-leg advantage late on in the contest.
Sky Sports News' Michael Bridges was just one of many who thought Anderson's chances were over at that stage:
"Great night at the @DubaiDarts Looks like another win for van Gerwen. pic.twitter.com/cH8AV1NeL4
— Michael Bridge (@MichaelBridge_) May 27, 2016"
That failure to capitalise was the catalyst for consecutive 12-dart finishes for the PDC world champion, as he went on to win four legs on the spin to move level at 8-8.
After two legs apiece, Anderson took the lead for the first time in the match with a double 12 finish before taking the final leg to win the title.
Dubai Darts captured the moment he sealed the title:
Nerves affected both players at the death; Van Gerwen missed six darts on a nine finish, as Anderson dramatically hit a double to complete a world-class comeback from 8-4 down.
Afternoon Session
World No. 1 Van Gerwen burst into life in the second half of his semi-final encounter with Chisnall in a high-quality encounter.
Both men were on the top of their game on Friday, with the Dutchman's imperious throwing simply overpowering his opponent.
With Van Gerwen averaging 91 during the opening five legs, the three-time tournament winner stepped up his performance to take a two-leg lead at 6-4. From there, the in-form 27-year-old was an unstoppable force. He showcased his talent with a bull-bull-double 16 finish at 7-5 before breaking with an 85 finish in the next.
Chisnall was helpless to prevent the accuracy of his opponent, as six perfect darts saw the world champion produce a 10-darter on his way to a 11-7 victory. Van Gerwen ended the final-four clash with five plus-tons and seven 180s.
The Dubai Darts Masters official account captured the moment Van Gerwen secured his place in the final:
In the second semi-final encounter, Anderson and Taylor could not be separated in the early action, ending the first four legs neck-and-neck with two apiece.
Competition at the oche looked strong, with the players winning the first five legs on their throw before the mini-break in action.
Good finishing from Scotland's Anderson saw him draw level at 5-5 with a 64 completion, with Taylor poised to take a two-leg advantage on 32.
The 16-time world champion did take the next leg, but a busting 12 with a double 13 allowed Anderson to fight back with some sublime arrows and take the next five legs with a brilliant 10-6 lead.
Taylor returned with an 11-darter to keep himself in the contest but was powerless to Anderson's accuracy in the final stretch. Anderson won six of the final seven legs, cementing his place in the final against Van Gerwen with an 11-7 win.
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