MVG blasts: "I don't need to prove anything"

MIGHTY Michael van Gerwen blasted “I don’t need to prove anything” after his shock Matchplay first round exit. The dynamic Dutchman won the Auckland Darts Masters to end a subdued run of missing out on the finals of the US and Shanghai Masters and crashing out to Jeffrey De Zwaan in his opening Blackpool clash. But he roared back into form by ripping apart Gary Anderson, Peter Wright and Raymond van Barneveld in New Zealand - before Melbourne Masters later this week. MVG vowed: “I don't need to prove anything, they know how good I am. I would say 90-95 per cent of the time they other players lose to me anyway. “If I keep my focus on my own game then I can do some phenomenal stuff. It's difficult to do it constantly so I need to make sure I keep myself focused all the time.” Van Gerwen was at his sensational best in the first three matches of the tournament, posting averages of 102.45, 105.87 and 102.76 against Cody Harris, Anderson and Wright respectively, hitting at least 50 per cent of his darts at double in each game. However, the two-time World Champion believes he has many more gears to go through during the remainder of the year. He added: “I think I didn't play bad but I know there's more in the tank. “I didn't show everything I can do so I'm a bit disappointed with that but the win is the only thing that counts. “I've never won this event before so I'm really delighted to get my hands on a new trophy.” The World No.1 now has an Oceanic hat-trick in his sights as he travels on to Melbourne this weekend followed by a trip to Brisbane the following week. “You have to make sure you keep progressing. At home you have to give everything to preparation for your matches and that is what I need to keep doing to stay at a good level. “My confidence over the last four or five years has been really good so that is a help to me.” ends By Phil Lanning (@lannomedia)