Wayne Mardle has high hopes for World Grand Prix title winner Mike De Decker, declaring the Belgian “has the class and composure and he’s got the game!”
De Decker produced the best performance of his life to claim glory, beating Luke Humphries 6-4 in sets at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena on Sunday night.
The 28-year-old from Mechelen, Belgium, performed brilliantly in the double-start tournament to reach his first televised final and win the £120,000 top prize in a thrilling final.
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World Grand Prix 2024 highlights from Luke Humphries and Mike De Decker
Reigning champion Humphries was left reeling when De Decker came out of the set and took a 4-1 lead with a brilliant, cavalier explosion.
The world number one fought back in three straight sets, but De Decker took the ninth set before winning the 10th.
De Decker’s success made him only the second Belgian to taste victory in a televised PDC event, joining Dimitri Van den Bergh, and lifted him from 36th to 25th on the PDC Order of Merit.
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De Decker hoists the World Grand Prix trophy while Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ plays in a spine-tingling celebration.
The 200/1 pre-tournament outsider saved a match dart to beat Damon Heta before beating Gary Anderson and James Wade and compatriot Van den Bergh. I upset them and made it to the finals.
Mardle felt his shock win over favorite Anderson had changed his mindset.
Madele said sky sports: “The Gary Anderson match proved something to himself because he actually said ‘I thought Gary would beat me’. He completely outplayed him. He was better than Gary and better than Luke Humphrey in a game that went to 45 legs. Darts of.
“He’s got the bottle, he’s got poise, he’s got the game!
“Experience doesn’t matter if you’re good enough. He didn’t have quarter-final, semi-final or final experience, but he was good enough.”
“I’m so happy for him. It’s another new winner and there are players on tour who think, ‘Mike De Decker won a major. I could have beaten him last week, why can’t he win a major?’ This is a critical time.
“It’s amazing that there’s someone who came in as an outsider and won the tour. This event has 28 winners out of 32, and they’re all world-class. It’s a great story for darts.”
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Watch the moment De Decker beat Luke Humphries 6-4 to win the World Grand Prix.
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What will be Sky Sports’ next live darts?
Luke Humphries won his first Grand Slam of Darts title last year.
Live Darts is back! sky sports and Grand Slam of Darts In Wolverhampton, Luke Humphries looks set to defend his title from November 9-17.
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Humphries shot 91 to beat Rob Cross 16-8 to win his first Grand Slam of Darts title.
Interest is in this year’s turn and 2025 PDC World Darts ChampionshipStarting from December 15th, the darts calendar will continue to provide excitement all year long and you can enjoy the best of it live here. sky sports.
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